Printing system, job processing method, printing device, and storage medium

ABSTRACT

A printing system adapted to be able to perform a processing concerning a job to be processed by a post-processing device, the post-processing device having a movable component openable by an operator, the system comprising: a controller that enables the printing device to execute the print process of a job to be processed even while the movable component remains open in a case that the job does not require the post-process by the post-processing device having the open movable component, the controller inhibiting the printing device from executing the print process of a job to be processed without notifying an operator via a user interface unit of information on the open movable component in a case that the job requires the post-process by the post-processing device having the open movable component.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

Notice: More than one reissue application has been filed for the reissueof U.S. Pat. No. 7,855,792, which issued on Dec. 21, 2010 and was filedas U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/688,025 on Mar. 19, 2007; thereissue applications are application Ser. No. 13/110,388, filed May 18,2011 (the present application), and continuation reissue applicationSer. No. 13/422,282, filed Mar. 16, 2012, both of which are reissueapplications of U.S. Pat. No. 7,855,792. The contents of theapplications cited in this paragraph are hereby incorporated herein byreference in their entireties.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a printing system capable of acceptinga plurality of jobs, a job processing method, a printing device, and astorage medium.

2. Description of the Related Art

Recently, office-equipment makers and the like are examining new entryinto this new POD(print-on-demand) market (see Japanese Patent Laid-OpenNo. 2005-165722). While watching market trends, they are making a closestudy of a printing device and printing system available even in the PODenvironment assuming use cases and needs different from those in theoffice environment. In a printing environment such as the POD market, itwill be important how to increase productivity in the printing system.The method of facilitating the use of the printing system by theoperator of the printing system while maintaining high productivity willbe important.

As described above, in order to enter the POD market, office-equipmentmakers and the like desirably assume the circumstance of the POD marketand cope with any situation which hardly occurs in the officeenvironment. In other words, it is necessary to fully study digitalprinting systems suited to the POD environment toward practical use ofproducts, as described in the reference. To make the printing systempracticable even in the POD environment, many matters and problemsremain unexamined by configurations disclosed in the reference.

For example, when the cover unit (e.g., front cover) of a device that isoperable by an operator is open in a printing system configured inconsideration of the office environment, a print operation in the deviceis inhibited and cannot be executed. This configuration is useful forpreventing any trouble in the office environment where even a userunfamiliar with the operation exists. This configuration is naturallyaccepted in a printing environment such as the office environment.However, the POD environment assumes a case in which an operator skilledto a certain degree makes best use of the printing system. In the PODenvironment, it will be more important to minimize the down time of theprinting system.

To meet this trend, the present invention pays attention to aconfiguration capable of executing a print operation as much as possiblein the printing system even if the movable unit, e.g., cover unit of asheet processing device such as a post-processing device is open. In thepresent invention, an operation associated with this configuration iscalled a continuous-run operation. However, various problems to besolved will arise from examination of practical use of productsconcerning the continuous-run operation receiving attention in thepresent invention.

For example, the movable unit of a given sheet processing device for usein the printing system is under maintenance, or is open due to, e.g.,work to take out a printed material. Even in this case, the printingsystem allows execution of the print process of a job not influenced bythis situation. The first problem is to provide a printing systemcapable of maintaining maximum productivity in consideration of futureuse cases and needs in the POD environment.

However, the market does not demand satisfaction of these needs, so aprinting system capable of coping with the first problem has not beencommercialized yet. It is important to provide a printing system capableof coping with the first problem.

To commercialize a printing system aiming at the future printingenvironment such as the POD environment, it is more important to providea printing system capable of dealing with not only the first problem butalso the following problem.

For example, it is difficult to satisfactorily create a printed materialto be delivered to a customer even by a printing system configured tocope with the first problem because, for example, the operator does notnotice that the movable unit of a sheet processing device is open. Thisinhibits the system from maintaining high productivity. Even theconfiguration capable of dealing with the first problem causesunexpected troubles as described above.

The present invention considers it important as a second problem thatthe configuration capable of coping with the first problem does notcause any.

As described above, there is much room for further study incommercializing a printing system capable of coping with thecontinuous-run operation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been made to solve the conventional problems,and has as its object to provide a convenient printing system adaptablenot only to the office environment but also to the POD environment, ajob processing method, a storage medium, a program, and a printingdevice.

In particular, it is another object of the present invention to providea printing system capable of coping with both the first and secondproblems without any new trouble such as the second problem caused by aconfiguration capable of coping with the first problem, a job processingmethod, a storage medium, a program, and a printing device.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide aprinting system capable of running as continuously as possible andmaintaining both high productivity and high operability by using thecontinuous-run operation described above, a job processing method, astorage medium, a program, and a printing device.

It is still another object of the present invention to contribute topractical use of products aiming at the future printing environment suchas the POD environment so as to cope with various needs from varioususers as flexibly as possible in consideration of various situations anduse environments.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided asystem according to claim 1.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provideda method to claim 11.

The present invention can solve the problems assumed in Description ofthe Related Art. For example, the present invention can build aconvenient printing environment applicable not only to the officeenvironment but also to the POD environment. The present invention canprovide a printing system capable of coping with both the first andsecond problems without any new trouble such as the second problemcaused by a configuration capable of coping with the first problem, ajob processing method, a storage medium, a program, and a printingdevice. The present invention can provide a printing system capable ofrunning as continuously as possible and maintaining both highproductivity and high operability by using the continuous-run operationdescribed above, a job processing method, a storage medium, a program,and a printing device. The present invention can contribute to practicaluse of products aiming at the future printing environment such as thePOD environment so as to cope with various needs from various users asflexibly as possible in consideration of various situations and useenvironments.

Further features of the present invention will become apparent from thefollowing description of exemplary embodiments with reference to theattached drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute apart of the specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and,together with the description, serve to explain the principles of theinvention.

FIG. 1 is a view for explaining an example of the overall configurationof a printing environment 10000 including a printing system 1000 to becontrolled in an embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram for explaining an example of the configurationof the printing system 1000 to be controlled in the embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a view for explaining an example of the configuration of theprinting system 1000 to be controlled in the embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a view for explaining an example of a UI unit to be controlledin the embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a view for explaining an example of the UI unit to becontrolled in the embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a view for explaining an example of display control on the UIunit to be controlled in the embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a view for explaining an example of display control on the UIunit to be controlled in the embodiment;

FIG. 8A is a view for explaining a control example of the printingsystem 1000 to be controlled in the embodiment;

FIG. 8B is a view for explaining the control example of the printingsystem 1000 to be controlled in the embodiment;

FIG. 9A is a view for explaining a control example of the printingsystem 1000 to be controlled in the embodiment;

FIG. 9B is a view for explaining the control example of the printingsystem 1000 to be controlled in the embodiment;

FIG. 10A is a view for explaining a control example of the printingsystem 1000 to be controlled in the embodiment;

FIG. 10B is a view for explaining the control example of the printingsystem 1000 to be controlled in the embodiment;

FIG. 11 is a sectional view for explaining an example of the internalstructure of an inline finisher to be controlled in the embodiment;

FIG. 12 is a sectional view for explaining an example of the internalstructure of an inline finisher to be controlled in the embodiment;

FIG. 13 is a sectional view for explaining an example of the internalstructure of an inline finisher to be controlled in the embodiment;

FIG. 14 is a view for explaining an example of display control on the UIunit to be controlled in the embodiment;

FIG. 15 is a view for explaining a control example when the printingsystem 1000 to be controlled in the embodiment creates a printedmaterial;

FIG. 16 is a view for explaining a control example when the printingsystem 1000 to be controlled in the embodiment creates a printedmaterial;

FIG. 17A is a view for explaining an example of display control on theUI unit to be controlled in the embodiment;

FIG. 17B is a view for explaining an example of display control on theUI unit to be controlled in the embodiment;

FIG. 18A is a view for explaining an example of display control on theUI unit to be controlled in the embodiment;

FIG. 18B is a view for explaining an example of display control on theUI unit to be controlled in the embodiment;

FIG. 18C is a view for explaining an example of display control on theUI unit to be controlled in the embodiment;

FIG. 18D is a view for explaining an example of display control on theUI unit to be controlled in the embodiment;

FIG. 19 is a view showing an example of the schematic appearance of a“large-volume stacker” described with reference to FIGS. 8A to 10B and13;

FIGS. 20-1 to 20-3 are views for explaining a control example associatedwith a continuous-run operation to be controlled in the embodiment;

FIGS. 21A-1 to 21A-7 are views for explaining a control exampleassociated with the continuous-run operation to be controlled in theembodiment;

FIGS. 21B-1 to 21B-8 are views for explaining a control exampleassociated with the continuous-run operation to be controlled in theembodiment;

FIGS. 22-1 to 22-3 are views for explaining a control example associatedwith the continuous-run operation to be controlled in the embodiment;

FIGS. 23-1 to 23-7 are views for explaining a control example associatedwith the continuous-run operation to be controlled in the embodiment;

FIGS. 24-1 to 24-8 are views for explaining a control example associatedwith the continuous-run operation to be controlled in the embodiment;

FIGS. 25-1 to 25-6 are views for explaining a control example associatedwith the continuous-run operation to be controlled in the embodiment;and

FIGS. 26A and 26B are flowcharts for explaining a control exampleassociated with the continuous-run operation to be controlled in theembodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENT

A preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described indetail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[Description of System Configuration of Entire Printing Environment10000 Including Printing System 1000]

The embodiment assumes a printing environment such as the PODenvironment different from the office environment in order to solveproblems described in Description of the Related Art. The embodimentwill explain the system environment of an entire POD environment site(printing environment 10000 in FIG. 1) including a printing system 1000.The printing environment itself is a feature of the embodiment.

In the embodiment, the printing environment 10000 where the printingsystem 1000 is applicable is also suited to the POD environment and iscalled the POD system 10000.

The POD system 10000 in FIG. 1 comprises, as building components, aprinting system 1000 of the embodiment, and a server computer 103 andclient computer 104 (to be referred to as PCs hereinafter). The PODsystem 10000 also comprises a paper folding device 107, trimming device109, saddle stitching device 110, case binding device 108, scanner 102,and the like. In this manner, a plurality of devices are prepared in thePOD system 10000.

The printing system 1000 comprises a printing device main body 100 andsheet processing device 200 as building components. As an example of theprinting device 100, the embodiment will explain a multifunctionperipheral having a plurality of functions such as the copy function andPC print function. However, the printing device 100 may be a singlefunction type printing device having only the PC function or copyfunction. The multifunction peripheral will also be called an MFPhereinafter.

The paper folding device 107, trimming device 109, saddle stitchingdevice 110, and case binding device 108 in FIG. 1 are defined as sheetprocessing devices, similar to the sheet processing device 200 of theprinting system 1000. This is because these devices can execute sheetprocesses for sheets of a job printed by the printing device 100 of theprinting system 1000. For example, the paper folding device 107 can foldsheets of a job printed by the printing device 100. The trimming device109 can trim a bundle of sheets printed by the printing device 100. Thesaddle stitching device 110 can saddle-stitch sheets of a job printed bythe printing device 100. The case binding device 108 can case-bindsheets of a job printed by the printing device 100. To execute varioussheet processes by these sheet processing devices, an operator must takeout a printed material of a job printed by the printing device 100 fromthe delivery unit of the printing device 100, and set the printedmaterial in a target sheet processing device.

The use of a sheet processing device other than the sheet processingdevice 200 of the printing system 1000 requires intervention work by theoperator after the printing device 100 executes a print process.

In other words, when the sheet processing device 200 of the printingsystem 1000 executes a sheet process required for a job printed by theprinting device 100, no intervention work by the operator is necessaryafter the printing device 100 executes a print process. This is becausethe printing device 100 can directly supply sheets printed by it to thesheet processing device 200. More specifically, the sheet feeding pathin the printing device 100 can couple to that in the sheet processingdevice 200. In this manner, the sheet processing device 200 and printingdevice 100 of the printing system 1000 physically connect to each other.In addition, the printing device 100 and sheet processing device 200comprise CPUs so as to communicate data. That is, the printing device100 and sheet processing device 200 electrically connect to each other.

In the embodiment, the control unit of the printing systemcomprehensively controls the printing device 100 and sheet processingdevice 200. For example, in the embodiment, a controller unit 205 in theprinting device 100 in FIG. 2 performs comprehensive control. Theembodiment will call these sheet processing devices as post-processingdevices or post presses.

All these devices in the POD system 10000 of FIG. 1 except the saddlestitching device 110 connect to a network 101 so as to communicate datawith each other.

For example, the printing device 100 prints the print data of a targetjob whose print execution request is transmitted via the network 101from an information processing device serving as an example of externaldevices such as the PCs 103 and 104.

For example, the server PC 103 manages all jobs to be processed in thePOD environment 10000 by transmitting/receiving data to/from anotherdevice by network communication. In other words, the server PC 103functions as a computer which comprehensively manages a series ofworkflow steps including a plurality of process steps. The PC 103determines post-process conditions capable of finishing in theenvironment 10000 on the basis of a job instruction accepted from anoperator. In addition, the PC 103 designates a post-process (finishingprocess) step complying with a request from an end user (client whorequests printing in this example). At this time, the server 103 usesinformation exchange tools such as JDF to exchange information withrespective post-processing devices using commands and statuses in postpresses.

The embodiment classifies the above sheet processing devices into threecategories and defines them as follows.

[Definition 1] A sheet processing device which satisfies both(condition 1) and (condition 2) listed below is defined as an “inlinefinisher”. The embodiment also refers to a device satisfying thisdefinition as an inline type sheet processing device.

(Condition 1) The paper path (sheet feeding path) physically connects tothe printing device 100 so as to directly receive sheets conveyed fromthe printing device 100 without any operator intervention.

(Condition 2) A sheet processing device electrically connects to anotherdevice so as to communicate data necessary for an operation instruction,status confirmation, or the like with another device. More specifically,a sheet processing device electrically connects to the printing device100 so as to communicate data with it, or electrically connects to adevice (e.g., the PC 103 or 104) other than the printing device 100 viathe network 101 so as to communicate data with the device. A sheetprocessing device which satisfies either condition meets (condition 2).

More specifically, the sheet processing device 200 of the printingsystem 1000 corresponds to an “inline finisher”. This is because thesheet processing device 200 physically and electrically connects to theprinting device 100, as described above.

[Definition 2] A sheet processing device which satisfies not(condition 1) out of (condition 1) and (condition 2) listed above but(condition 2) is defined as a “near-line finisher”. The embodiment alsorefers to a device satisfying this definition as a near-line type sheetprocessing device.

For example, the paper path does not connect to the printing device 100,and a sheet processing device requires intervention work by an operatorsuch as carrying of a printed material. However, the sheet processingdevice can electrically exchange information such as an operationinstruction or status confirmation via a communication means such as thenetwork 101. A sheet processing device which meets these conditions willbe defined as a “near-line finisher”.

More specifically, the paper folding device 107, trimming device 109,and case binding device 108 in FIG. 1 correspond to “near-linefinishers”. This is because these sheet processing devices do notphysically connect to the printing device 100, but electrically connectto another device such as the PC 103 or 104 via the network 101 so as tocommunicate data.

[Definition 3] A sheet processing device which satisfies neither(condition 1) nor (condition 2) listed above is defined as an “offlinefinisher”. The embodiment also refers to a device satisfying thisdefinition as an offline type sheet processing device.

For example, the paper path does not connect to the printing device 100,and a sheet processing device requires intervention work by an operatorsuch as carrying of a printed material. Further, the sheet processingdevice does not comprise any communication unit necessary for anoperation instruction and status confirmation, and cannot communicatedata with another device. Thus, the operator carries an output material,sets it, manually inputs an operation, and manually gives a statusreport from the device. A sheet processing device which meets theseconditions will be defined as an “offline finisher”.

More specifically, the saddle stitching device 110 in FIG. 1 correspondsto an “offline finisher”. This is because this sheet processing devicedoes not physically connect to the printing device 100, cannot connectto the network 101, and does not electrically connect to another deviceto communicate data.

Various sheet processes are executable in the POD environment 10000having various sheet processing devices classified into these threecategories.

For example, printed media of a job printed by the printing device 100can undergo various sheet processes such as a trimming process, saddlestitching process, case binding process, sheet folding process, punchingprocess, sealing process, and collating process. A sheet process ispossible in a bookbinding printing style desired by an end user(client).

Near-line finishers and offline finishers managed by the server PC 103include various finishers such as a dedicated stapler, dedicatedpuncher, inserter, and collator. The server 103 grasps a device statusand job status from near-line finishers via the network 101 bysequential polling or the like using a predetermined protocol. Inaddition, the server 103 manages the execution statuses (progresses) ofmany jobs processed in the environment 10000.

In the embodiment, different sheet processing devices may execute aplurality of print sheet processes, or one sheet processing device mayexecute types of print sheet processes. The system may comprise any ofsheet processing devices.

The printing system 1000 in FIG. 1 comprises the printing device 100,and the sheet processing device 200 detachable from the printing device100. The sheet processing device 200 can directly receive, via the sheetfeeding path, sheets of a job printed by the printing device 100. Thesheet processing device 200 executes a sheet process requested by a usertogether with a print execution request via a user interface unit forsheets of a job printed by a printer unit 203 of the printing device100. This is apparent from the fact that the sheet processing device 200is an inline type sheet processing device, as described above.

It should be noted that the sheet processing device 200 in theembodiment is also definable as a group of sheet processing devices 200.This is because in the embodiment, a plurality of sheet processingdevices, which are independent housings and independently available,couple to the printing device 100 and are available as the sheetprocessing device 200. For example, the printing system 1000 shown inFIG. 1 comprises the printing device 100 and three sheet processingdevices. In other words, in the printing system 1000 in FIG. 1, threesheet processing devices series-connect to the printing device 100. Inthis example, an arrangement in which a plurality of sheet processingdevices connect to the printing device 100 is called a cascadeconnection. The embodiment handles, as inline finishers, all sheetprocessing devices contained in a group of sheet processing devices 200cascade-connected to the printing device 100. The controller 205 in FIG.2 serving as an example of the control unit of the system 1000comprehensively controls the printing device main body 100 and aplurality of inline type sheet processing devices, and executes variouscontrol examples to be described below in the embodiment. The embodimentalso has this feature. This arrangement will be described later withreference to FIG. 3 and the like.

[Internal Configuration (Mainly Software Configuration) of System 1000]

The internal configuration (mainly software configuration) of theprinting system 1000 will be explained with reference to the systemblock diagram of FIG. 2. In this example, the printing device 100incorporates all the units of the printing system 1000 shown in FIG. 2except the sheet processing device 200 (strictly speaking, a group ofsheet processing devices configurable by a plurality of inline typesheet processing devices). The sheet processing device 200 is detachablefrom the printing device 100, and is providable as an option of theprinting device 100. This configuration aims to provide a necessarynumber of inline finishers in the POD environment. For this purpose, theembodiment adopts the following configuration.

The printing device 100 comprises a nonvolatile memory such as a harddisk 209 (to be also referred to as an HD hereinafter) capable ofstoring job data to be processed in the printing device 100. Theprinting device 100 has the copy function of printing, by the printerunit 203 via the HD, job data accepted from a scanner unit 201 of theprinting device 100. The printing device 100 also has the print functionof printing, by the printer unit 203 via the HD, job data accepted froman external device such as the PC 103 or 104 via an external I/F unit202 serving as an example of a communication unit. The printing device100 is an MFP type printing device (to be also referred to as an imageforming device) having a plurality of functions.

The printing device according to the embodiment can take anyconfiguration of a color or monochrome printing device as long as it canexecute various control examples described in the embodiment.

The printing device 100 according to the embodiment comprises thescanner unit 201 which scans an original document image and processesscanned image data. The printing device 100 also comprises the externalI/F unit 202 which transmits/receives image data to/from a facsimiledevice, network connection device, or external dedicated device. Theprinting device 100 comprises the hard disk 209 capable of storing imagedata of jobs to be printed that are accepted from either the scannerunit 201 or external I/F unit 202. The printing device 100 comprises theprinter unit 203 which prints target job data stored in the hard disk209 on a print medium. The printing device 100 further comprises anoperation unit 204 which has a display unit and serves as an example ofthe user interface unit of the printing system 1000. Other examples ofthe user interface unit provided by the printing system 1000 are thedisplay unit, keyboard, and mouse of an external device such as the PC103 or 104.

The controller unit (to be also referred to as a control unit or CPU)205 serving as an example of the control unit of the printing system1000 comprehensively controls the processes, operations, and the like ofvarious units of the printing system 1000. A ROM 207 stores variouscontrol programs necessary in the embodiment including programs forexecuting various processes of a flowchart (to be described later) andthe like. The ROM 207 also stores a display control program fordisplaying various UI windows on the display unit of the operation unit204 including user interface windows (to be referred to as UI windowshereinafter) shown in the accompanying drawings. The control unit 205reads out and executes programs from the ROM 207 to cause the printingdevice to execute various operations described in the embodiment. TheROM 207 also stores, e.g., a program for executing an operation toanalyze PDL (Page Description Language) code data received from anexternal device (e.g., the PC 103 or 104) via the external I/F unit 202,and expand the PDL code data into raster image data (bitmap image data).Software processes these programs.

The ROM 207 is a read-only memory, and stores programs (e.g., a bootsequence and font information) and various programs (e.g., theabove-mentioned programs) in advance. A RAM 208 is a readable/writablememory, and stores image data, various programs, and setting informationsent from the scanner unit 201 or external I/F unit 202 via a memorycontroller 206 (not shown).

The HDD (hard disk drive) 209 is a large-capacity storage device whichstores image data compressed by a compression/decompression unit 210.The HDD 209 can hold a plurality of data such as print data of a job tobe processed. The control unit 205 controls printing, by the printerunit 203 via the HDD 209, of target job data input via various inputunits such as the scanner unit 201 and external I/F unit 202. Thecontrol unit 205 also controls transmission of job data to an externaldevice via the external I/F unit 202. In this fashion, the controllerunit 205 controls execution of various output processes for target jobdata stored in the HDD 209. The compression/decompression unit 210compresses/decompresses image data and the like stored in the RAM 208and HDD 209 in accordance with various compression schemes such as JBIGand JPEG.

With the above configuration, the control unit 205 serving as an exampleof the control unit of the printing system controls even the operationof the inline type sheet processing device 200, as shown in FIG. 1. Themechanical structure of the printing system 1000 including a descriptionof this operation will be explained with reference to FIG. 3 and thelike.

[Device Configuration (Mainly Mechanical Structure) of System 1000]

The configuration (mainly mechanical structure) of the printing system1000 will be explained with reference to the view of FIG. 3 forexplaining the device configuration.

As described above, in the printing system 1000, a plurality of inlinetype sheet processing devices cascade-connect to the printing device100. An arbitrary number of inline type sheet processing devicesconnectable to the printing device 100 can be installed in accordancewith the use environment in order to enhance the effects of theembodiment under specific limitations.

To make the description clearer, N sheet processing devices 200 areconnectable as a group of sheet processing devices in FIGS. 2 and 3.Sheet processing devices are defined as sheet processing devices 200a,200b, . . . sequentially from the first sheet processing device, and theNth sheet processing device is a sheet processing device 200n. Fordescriptive convenience, each sheet processing device 200 has a shape asshown in FIGS. 1 to 3, but has an original appearance to be describedlater.

Of reference numerals 301 to 322 shown in FIG. 3, reference numeral 301corresponds to the mechanical structure of the scanner unit 201 in FIG.2. Reference numerals 302 to 322 correspond to the mechanical structureof the printer unit 203 in FIG. 2. The embodiment will describe thestructure of a 1D type color MFP. A 4D type color MFP and monochrome MFPare also examples of the printing device according to the embodiment,but a description thereof will be omitted.

The auto document feeder (ADF) 301 in FIG. 3 separates the first andsubsequent original document sheets in the order of pages from anoriginal document bundle set on the support surface of the documenttray, and feeds each original document sheet to the document table glassin order to scan the original document sheet with the scanner 302. Thescanner 302 scans the image of the original document sheet fed onto thedocument table glass, and converts the image into image data by a CCD.The rotary polygon mirror 303 receives a light ray (e.g., a laser beam)modulated in accordance with the image data, and irradiates thephotosensitive drum 304 with the scan beam reflected via a reflectingmirror. A latent image formed by the laser beam on the photosensitivedrum 304 is developed with toner, and the toner image is transferredonto a sheet material adhered onto the transfer drum 305. A series ofimage forming processes is executed sequentially with yellow (Y),magenta (N), cyan (C), and black (K) toners, forming a full-color image.After four image forming processes, the sheet material bearing thefull-color image is separated by the separation gripper 306 from thetransfer drum 305, and conveyed to the fixing unit 308 by the pre-fixingconveyor 307.

The fixing unit 308 comprises a combination of rollers and belts, andincorporates a heat source such as a halogen heater. The fixing unit 308fuses and fixes, by heat and pressure, toner on a sheet material bearinga toner image. The delivery flapper 309 can be swung about the swingshaft, and regulates the sheet material conveyance direction. When thedelivery flapper 309 swings clockwise in FIG. 3, a sheet material isconveyed straight, and discharged outside the device by the deliveryrollers 310. To form images on the two surfaces of a sheet material, thedelivery flapper 309 swings counterclockwise in FIG. 3, and the courseof the sheet material changes downward to supply the sheet material tothe double-sided conveyor. The double-sided conveyor comprises thereverse flapper 311, reverse rollers 312, reverse guide 313, anddouble-sided tray 314.

The reverse flapper 311 can be swung about the swing shaft, andregulates the sheet material conveyance direction. To process adouble-sided print job, the control unit 205 controls to swing thereverse flapper 311 counterclockwise in FIG. 3 and supply a sheet havingthe first surface printed by the printer unit 203 to the reverse guide313 via the reverse rollers 312. While the reverse rollers 312 clamp thetrailing end of the sheet material, the reverse rollers 312 temporarilystop, the reverse flapper 311 swings clockwise in FIG. 3, and thereverse rollers 312 rotate backward. The sheet is switched back toreplace its trailing and leading ends, and then the sheet is guided tothe double-sided tray 314.

The double-sided tray 314 temporarily supports the sheet material, andthe re-feed roller 315 supplies the sheet material again to theregistration rollers 316. At this time, the sheet material is sent witha surface opposite to the first surface in the transfer step facing thephotosensitive drum. The second image is formed on the second surface ofthe sheet by the same process as that described above. After the imagesare formed on the two surfaces of the sheet material, the sheetundergoes the fixing step and is discharged from the printing devicemain body to the outside of the device via the delivery rollers 310. Thecontrol unit 205 executes this double-sided print sequence, and causesthe printing device to execute double-sided printing of target job dataon the first and second surfaces of a sheet.

The sheet feed/conveyance section comprises the sheet feed cassettes 317and 318 (each capable of storing, e.g., 500 sheets) serving as sheetfeed units storing sheets necessary for a print process, the paper deck319 (capable of storing, e.g., 5,000 sheets), and the manual feed tray320. Units for feeding sheets stored in these sheet feed units are thesheet feed rollers 321, registration rollers 316, and the like. Thesheet feed cassettes 317 and 318 and the paper deck 319 can set sheetsof various materials at various sheet sizes so as to discriminate thesesheets in these sheet feed units.

The manual feed tray 320 can also set various print media including aspecial sheet such as an OHP sheet. The sheet feed cassettes 317 and318, the paper deck 319, and the manual feed tray 320 respectively havethe sheet feed rollers 321 so as to successively feed sheets one by one.For example, a pickup roller sequentially picks up stacked sheetmaterials, a separation roller facing the sheet feed roller 321 preventsoverlapping feed, and sheet materials are supplied one by one to theconveyance guide. The separation roller receives, via a torque limiter(not shown), a driving force for driving the separation roller in adirection opposite to the conveyance direction. When only one sheetmaterial enters a nip portion formed between the separation roller andthe sheet feed roller, the separation roller rotates in the conveyancedirection following the sheet material.

If overlapping feed occurs, the separation roller rotates in thedirection opposite to the conveyance direction to set back theoverlapping-fed sheet material and supply only one top sheet material.The supplied sheet material is guided between the conveyance guides, andconveyed to the registration rollers 316 by a plurality of conveyancerollers. At this time, the registration rollers 316 stop, and theleading end of the sheet material abuts against the nip portion formedbetween the pair of registration rollers 316. Then, the sheet materialforms a loop to correct skew. The registration rollers 316 startrotating to convey the sheet material in synchronism with the timing ofa toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 304 in the image formingsection. The attraction roller 322 electrostatically attracts the sheetmaterial sent by the registration rollers 316 onto the surface of thetransfer drum 305. The sheet material discharged from the fixing unit308 is introduced into the sheet feeding path in the sheet processingdevice 200 via the delivery rollers 310.

Through the above print process, the control unit 205 processes a job tobe printed.

The control unit 205 causes the printer unit 203 by the above-describedmethod to print job print data stored in the HD 209 from a datageneration source on the basis of a print execution request acceptedfrom a user via the UI unit.

For example, the data generation source of a job whose print executionrequest is accepted from the operation unit 204 means the scanner unit201. The data generation source of a job whose print execution requestis accepted from a host computer means the host computer.

The control unit 205 stores print data of a job to be processedsequentially from the start page in the HD 209, and reads out the printdata sequentially from the start page from the HD 209 to form the imageof the print data on a sheet. The control unit 205 performs this startpage process. In addition, the control unit 205 supplies printed sheetssequentially from the start page to the sheet feeding path in the sheetprocessing device 200 with the image surfaces of the sheets facing down.For this purpose, immediately before the delivery rollers 310 introducea sheet into the sheet processing device 200, the control unit 205causes the units 309 and 312 and the like to execute a switchbackoperation to reverse the sheet traveling from the fixing unit 308. Thecontrol unit 205 also executes paper handling control for the start pageprocess.

The arrangement of the inline type sheet processing device 200 of theprinting system 1000 also having the printing device 100 will beexplained.

As shown in FIG. 3, the system 1000 according to the embodimentcomprises a total of n inline type sheet processing devicescascade-connectable to the printing device 100. The number of installedinline type sheet processing devices is set so that as many devices canbe accepted as deemed necessary. However, the system 1000 must utilizeat least one sheet processing device which can supply a sheet printed bythe printer unit 203 to an internal sheet processing unit without anyintervention work by an operator. In other words, the system 1000 mustutilize a sheet processing device having a sheet feeding path (paperpath) capable of conveying, within the device, a print medium dischargedfrom the printer unit 203 via the delivery rollers 310 of the printingdevice 100. The system 1000 follows this restriction.

However, the configuration of the printing system 1000 can be flexiblymodified within the limits of this restriction, as one mechanism ofenhancing the effects of the embodiment.

For example, the number of connected inline type sheet processingdevices can be any arbitrary number. The embodiment also assumes a PODenvironment where an administrator determines that no inline type sheetprocessing device is necessary, in order to increase the use efficiencyof an offline type sheet processing device. For example, even when noinline type sheet processing device is used (i.e., the number of inlinetype sheet processing devices is 0), the printing device 100 of theembodiment is available.

When cascade-connecting a plurality of inline type sheet processingdevices to the printing device 100, a specific user (e.g.,administrator) can arbitrarily change and determine their connectionorder under the restriction.

The above mechanism aims to improve user friendliness, and is not anindispensable constituent feature. In other words, the present inventionis not limited to this arrangement. For example, the present inventionis applicable to a system configuration which uniformly defines thenumber of inline type sheet processing devices available in the printingsystem 1000 and their connection order. The present inventionincorporates any system configuration and device configuration as longas at least one of various job control examples (to be described later)is executable.

How many and what kinds of inline type sheet processing devices areconnectable to the printing device 100 in the printing system 1000, howto connect them, and what kinds of sheet processes they can execute willbe described later.

[Arrangement of Operation Unit 204 as Example of UI Unit of System 1000]

The operation unit 204 serving as an example of the user interface unit(to be referred to as a UI unit hereinafter) of the printing device 100in the system 1000 will be explained with reference to FIG. 4 and thelike.

The operation unit 204 comprises a key input unit 402 capable ofaccepting a user operation with hard keys, and a touch panel unit 401serving as an example of a display unit capable of accepting a useroperation with soft keys (display keys).

As shown in FIG. 5, the key input unit 402 comprises an operation unitpower switch 501. In response to a user operation to the switch 501, thecontrol unit 205 controls to selectively switch between the standby mode(normal operation state) and the sleep mode (state in which the programstops in wait for an interrupt by network printing, facsimiletransmission, or the like, suppressing power consumption). The controlunit 205 controls to accept a user operation to the switch 501 while amain power switch (not shown) for supplying power to the whole system isON.

A start key 503 enables accepting, from a user, an instruction to causethe printing device to start a type of job process designated by theuser, such as copying or transmission of a job to be processed. A stopkey 502 enables accepting, from the user, an instruction to cause theprinting device to interrupt the process of an accepted job. A ten-keypad 506 allows the user to set the entries of various settings. A clearkey 507 is used to cancel various parameters such as entries set by theuser via the key 506. A reset key 504 is used to accept, from the user,an instruction to invalidate various settings of a job to be processedby the user and restore the setting values to defaults. A user mode key505 is used to shift to a system setup window for each user.

FIG. 6 is a view for explaining the touch panel unit (to be alsoreferred to as a display unit) 401 serving as an example of a userinterface unit provided by the printing system. The touch panel unit 401has an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), and a touch panel display formedfrom a transparent electrode adhered onto the LCD. The unit 401 has botha function of accepting various settings from an operator and a functionof presenting information to the operator. For example, when it isdetected that a user presses a portion corresponding to an effectivedisplay key on the LCD, the control unit 205 controls to display anoperation window corresponding to the key operation on the display unit401 in accordance with a display control program stored in advance inthe ROM 207. FIG. 6 shows an example of an initial window displayed onthe display unit 401 when the printing device is in the standby mode(state in which there is no job to be processed by the printing device).

When the user presses a copy tab 601 on the display unit 401 shown inFIG. 6, the control unit 205 causes the display unit 401 to display theoperation window of the copy function provided by the printing device.When the user presses a send tab 602, the control unit 205 causes thedisplay unit 401 to display the operation window of the data sendfunction (e.g., FAX transmission or E-mail sending) provided by theprinting device. When the user presses a box tab 603, the control unit205 causes the display unit 401 to display the operation window of thebox function provided by the printing device.

The box function uses a plurality of data storage boxes (to be referredto boxes hereinafter) which are virtually ensured in the HDD 209 inadvance and are available discriminately for respective users. With thebox function, the control unit 205 allows a user to select a desired oneof boxes via the user interface unit, and accepts a desired operationfrom the user. For example, the control unit 205 responds to aninstruction input from the user via the operation unit 204, and controlsthe HDD 209 to store document data of a job accepted from the scannerunit 201 of the printing device in a box selected by the user. Thecontrol unit 205 also makes it possible to store, e.g., text data of ajob accepted from an external device (e.g., the PC 103 or 104) via theexternal I/F unit 202 in a box designated by the user in accordance withan instruction designated by the user of the external device via theuser interface unit of the external device. The control unit 205controls, e.g., the printer unit 203 to print job data stored in a boxin the desired output form of a user in accordance with a userinstruction from the operation unit 204, or controls the external I/Funit 202 to transmit the job data to an external device desired by theuser.

To allow the user to execute various box operations, the control unit205 controls the display unit 401 to display the box function operationwindow when the box tab 603 is pressed by the user. When the userpresses an expand tab 604 on the display unit 401 of FIG. 6, the controlunit 205 causes the display unit 401 to display a window for settingexpansion functions such as scanner setting. When the user presses asystem monitor key 617, the control unit 205 causes the display unit 401to display a display window for notifying the user of the MFP state orstatus.

A color selection setting key 605 allows the user to select colorcopying, monochrome copying, or auto selection in advance. A copy ratiosetting key 608 causes the display unit 401 to display a setup windowwhich allows the user to set a copy ratio such as equal magnification,enlargement, or reduction.

When the user presses a double-sided key 614, the control unit 205causes the display unit 401 to display a window which allows the user toset which of single-sided printing and double-sided printing is executedin the print process of a target job. When a sheet selection key 615 ispressed, the control unit 205 causes the display unit 401 to display awindow which allows the user to set a sheet feed unit, sheet size, andsheet type (medium type) necessary for the print process of a targetjob. When a key 612 is pressed, the control unit 205 causes the displayunit 401 to display a window which allows the user to select an imageprocess mode (e.g., a text mode or photo mode) suited to an originaldocument image. By operating a density setting key 611, the user canadjust the density of the output image of a job to be printed.

Referring to FIG. 6, the control unit 205 causes a status display field606 of the display unit 401 to display the operation state (e.g.,standby, warm-up, printing, jam, or error) of a current event in theprinting device in order to have it confirmed by the user. The controlunit 205 causes a display field 607 to display information for promptingthe user to confirm the copy ratio of a job to be processed. The controlunit 205 causes a display field 616 to display information for promptingthe user to confirm the sheet size and sheet feed mode of a job to beprocessed. The control unit 205 causes a display field 610 to displayinformation for prompting the user to confirm the number of copies of ajob to be processed, and information for prompting the user to confirmthe sheet number during printing. In this manner, the control unit 205causes the display unit 401 to display various types of information tobe announced to the user.

When a user presses an interrupt key 613, the control unit 205 stopsprinting a current job by the printing device, and executes printing ofa job from the user. When the user presses an application mode key 618,the control unit 205 causes the display unit 401 to display a window forsetting various image processes and layouts, such as two-pageseparation, cover sheet/slip sheet setting, reduction layout, and imagemovement.

Still another point of the embodiment will be described.

As a setting for a job to be processed, the control unit 205 causes theUI unit to execute a display for accepting a request from a user toexecute a sheet process by the sheet processing unit of the inline typesheet processing device 200 of the printing system 1000. The controlunit 205 also causes the UI unit to execute a display for accepting aninstruction from the user to cause the UI unit to execute this display.

For example, the control unit 205 causes the display unit 401 to displaya display key (the sheet process setting key 609) in FIG. 6. Assume thatthe user presses the sheet process setting key 609. Then, the controlunit 205 causes the display unit 401 to execute a display for allowingthe user to specify a desired sheet process among sheet processselection candidates executable using the inline type sheet processingdevice of the system 1000. The “sheet process setting key 609”illustrated in the display of FIG. 7 will also be referred to as a“finishing key” in FIG. 19 and subsequent drawings. That is, the “sheetprocess setting key 609” and “finishing key” mean the same functionbutton. In the following description, a “sheet process” will also bereferred to as “finishing”. As for a “punching process”, needs forvarious punching processes (processes to punch a printed sheet) areassumable in the POD environment.

Thus, FIG. 19 and subsequent drawings illustrate “two-hole punching(process to form two holes at a sheet end corresponding to a sheetbinding edge)” and “multi-hole punching (process to form many holes suchas 30 holes at a sheet end)” as a plurality of types of punchingprocesses. These processes are executable by the punching unit of thesaddle stitching device shown in FIGS. 8A to 10B in correspondence withthe above configuration. Another device or unit may execute thesepunching processes. However, as described above, the use of a devicewhich satisfies the definition of an inline finisher in the system 1000is permitted, and the use of a different type of device in the system1000 is inhibited.

In this example, the control unit 205 causes the display unit 401 toexecute a display in FIG. 7 in response to press of the key 609 by theuser. The control unit 205 controls to accept, via the display of FIG.7, a request to execute a sheet process by the inline sheet processingdevice 200 for a printed sheet of a job to be processed.

The control unit 205 determines sheet processing device candidatesselectable via the display of FIG. 7 in accordance with the kind ofsheet processing device attached to the system 1000 and the mountingstatus of the sheet processing device. For example, the display of FIG.7 permits accepting a request from a user to execute any type of sheetprocess among the different types of sheet processes listed below for asheet printed by the printer unit 203:

(1) a stapling process,

(2) a punching process,

(3) a folding process,

(4) a shift delivery process,

(5) a trimming process,

(6) a saddle stitching process,

(7) a case binding process as an example of a glue binding process,

(8) a pad binding process as another example of a glue binding process,and

(9) a large-volume stacking process.

In the UI control example of FIG. 7, the control unit 205 controls theoperation unit 204 to set these nine sheet processes as selectioncandidates. This is because the inline type sheet processing devices ofthe printing system 1000 can be used to selectively execute these ninesheet processes.

In other words, the control unit 205 controls the UI unit to exclude asheet process unexecutable by the system 1000 from selection candidatesin the display of FIG. 7. For example, when the system 1000 does notcomprise one sheet processing device capable of selectively executing acase binding process and pad binding process, or this sheet processingdevice is out of order, the control unit 205 controls to invalidate keys707 and 708. For example, the control unit 205 grays out and hatches thekeys 707 and 708. With this setting, the control unit 205 controls notto accept a request from a user to execute corresponding sheetprocesses. Further, when the system 1000 comprises a sheet processingdevice capable of executing a sheet process different from theabove-mentioned nine candidates, the control unit 205 controls thedisplay of FIG. 7 to validate a display key for accepting a request froma user to execute the different sheet process. With this display key,the control unit 205 permits accepting a request from a user to executethe sheet process. The embodiment can execute this display controltogether with job process control (to be described later), preventingany user operation error.

In executing this control, the control unit 205 acquires systemconfiguration information for specifying what kind of sheet processingdevice the system 1000 comprises as the sheet processing device 200. Inthis control, the control unit 205 also uses, e.g., status informationfor specifying whether an error occurs in the sheet processing device200. The control unit 205 acquires these pieces of information by havingthe user manually input them via the UI unit, or by an automated processon the basis of a signal output from the sheet processing device 200 viaa signal line when the sheet processing device 200 connects to theprinting device 100. On the premise of this configuration, the controlunit 205 causes the display unit 401 to execute the display of FIG. 7with display contents based on the acquired information.

The system 1000 can accept, from an external device such as the PC 103or 104, a request to print a target job and a request to execute a sheetprocess necessary for the job. When inputting a job from the externaldevice, the control unit 205 controls the display unit of the externaldevice serving as a print data transmission source to display the samefunctions as those of the display in FIG. 7. In this example, thecontrol unit 205 causes the display unit of a computer such as the PC103 or 104 to display a printer driver setup window (to be describedlater). When the UI of the external device executes the display, thecontrol unit of the external device executes the above control. Forexample, when the display unit of the PC 103 or 104 displays a printerdriver UI window (to be described later), the control entity is the CPUof the PC.

[Concrete Example of Configuration of Printing System 1000 Controlled inEmbodiment]

A system configuration representing how many and what kinds of inlinetype sheet processing devices are connectable to the printing device 100in the printing system 1000, how to connect them, and what kinds ofsheet processes they can execute will be explained with reference toFIGS. 8A and 83 and the like in association of a feature of theembodiment.

The embodiment can implement, for example, a system configuration asshown in FIGS. 8A and 8B as the system 1000 shown in FIGS. 1 to 3.

In the system configuration example of FIG. 8A, the system 1000comprises a total of three inline type sheet processing devices, i.e., alarge-volume stacker, glue binding device, and saddle stitching deviceas a group of sheet processing devices 200. In the configuration exampleof FIG. 8A, the large-volume stacker, glue binding device, and saddlestitching device connect in the order named to the printing device 100of the system 1000. The control unit 205 serving as an example of thecontrol unit of the system 1000 comprehensively controls the printingsystem 1000 having the system configuration as shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B.

In this example, the large-volume stacker is a sheet processing devicecapable of stacking a large number (e.g., 5,000) of sheets from theprinter unit 203.

The glue binding device in this example is a sheet processing devicecapable of executing a case binding process requiring a sheet gluingprocess when attaching a cover and binding a bundle of sheets printed bythe printer unit 203. The glue binding device can also execute a padbinding process corresponding to a sheet process to glue and bind abundle of sheets without attaching any cover. The glue binding device isalso called a case binding device because it is a sheet processingdevice capable of executing at least a case binding process.

The saddle stitching device is a sheet processing device capable ofselectively executing a stapling process, punching process, trimmingprocess, shift delivery process, saddle stitching process, and foldingprocess for sheets from the printer unit 203.

In the embodiment, the control unit 205 registers, in a specific memory,various types of system configuration information on these sheetprocessing devices as management information necessary for variouscontrol examples. For instance, when the system 1000 has the systemconfiguration as shown in FIG. 8A, the control unit 205 registers thefollowing pieces of information in the HDD 209.

(Information 1) Device presence/absence information which allows thecontrol unit 205 to confirm that the system 1000 comprises an inlinetype sheet processing device. This information corresponds toinformation which allows the control unit to specify whether the system1000 comprises an inline type sheet processing device.

(Information 2) Inline sheet processing device count information whichallows the control unit 205 to confirm that the system 1000 comprisesthree inline type sheet processing devices 200. This informationcorresponds to information which allows the control unit to specify thenumber of inline type sheet processing devices of the system 1000.

(Information 3) Inline sheet processing device type information whichallows the control unit 205 to specify that the system 1000 comprisesthe large-volume stacker, glue binding device, and saddle stitchingdevice. This information corresponds to information which allows thecontrol unit to confirm the types of inline type sheet processingdevices of the system 1000.

(Information 4) Information which allows the control unit 205 to confirmthat one of the three inline type sheet processing devices is alarge-volume stacker capable of stacking sheets from the printer unit203. Device performance information which allows the control unit 205 toconfirm that another inline type sheet processing devices is a gluebinding device capable of executing a glue binding process (case bindingprocess and/or pad binding process) for sheets from the printer unit203. Information which allows the control unit 205 to confirm that theremaining inline type sheet processing devices is a saddle stitchingdevice capable of selectively executing stapling, punching, trimming,shift delivery, saddle stitching, and folding for sheets from theprinter unit 203. In other words, information which allows the controlunit 205 to specify that sheet processes executable by the system are atotal of nine processes: stapling, punching, trimming, shift delivery,saddle stitching, folding, case binding, pad binding, and large-volumestacking. This information corresponds to information which allows thecontrol unit to confirm performance information of sheet processesexecutable by the inline type sheet processing devices of the system1000.

(Information 5) Information which allows the control unit 205 to confirmthat the three sheet processing devices cascade-connect to the printingdevice 100 in the order of the large-volume stacker, glue bindingdevice, and saddle stitching device. This information corresponds toconnection order information of these sheet processing devices in thesystem when a plurality of inline finishers are connected.

The control unit 205 registers, in the HD 209, various types ofinformation as represented by (information 1) to (information 5) assystem configuration information necessary for various control examples.The control unit 205 utilizes the information as criterion informationnecessary for job control (to be described later).

On the premise of the above configuration, for example, the printingsystem 1000 has the system configuration as shown in FIG. 8A. Controlexecuted by the control unit 205 in this system configuration will beexemplified.

For example, when the system 1000 has the system configuration in FIGS.8A and 8B, it can execute all the nine sheet processes. The control unit205 recognizes this on the basis of the criteria of (information 1) to(information 5). Based on the recognition result, the control unit 205controls the UI unit so as to set all the nine sheet processes in thedisplay of FIG. 7 as selection candidates. In addition, the control unit205 executes the following control in response to a user operation.

For example, the control unit 205 accepts, from a user, a staplingprocess execution request for a target job via the UI unit in responseto pressing of a key 701 by the user in the display of FIG. 7 executedby the UI unit under the control of the control unit 205. In response tothis request, the control unit 205 causes the saddle stitching deviceserving as the sheet processing device 200c in FIG. 8A to staple printedsheets of the job.

For example, the control unit 205 accepts, from the user, a (sheet)punching process execution request for a target job via the UI unit whena key 702 is pressed in the display of FIG. 7 executed by the UI unitunder the control of the control unit 205. In response to this request,the control unit 205 causes the saddle stitching device serving as thesheet processing device 200c in FIG. 8A to punch printed sheets of thejob.

For example, the control unit 205 accepts, from the user, a trimmingprocess execution request for a target job via the UI unit when a key703 is pressed in the display of FIG. 7 executed by the UI unit underthe control of the control unit 205. In response to this request, thecontrol unit 205 causes the saddle stitching device serving as the sheetprocessing device 200c in FIG. 8A to trim printed sheets of the job.

For example, the control unit 205 accepts, from the user, a trimmingprocess execution request for a target job via the UI unit when of a key704 is pressed in the display of FIG. 7 executed by the UI unit underthe control of the control unit 205. In response to this request, thecontrol unit 205 causes the saddle stitching device serving as the sheetprocessing device 200c in FIG. 8A to trim printed sheets of the job.

For example, the control unit 205 accepts, from the user, a saddlestitching process execution request for a target job via the UI unitwhen a key 705 is pressed in the display of FIG. 7 executed by the UTunit under the control of the control unit 205. In response to thisrequest, the control unit 205 causes the saddle stitching device servingas the sheet processing device 200c in FIG. 8A to saddle-stitch printedsheets of the job.

For example, the control unit 205 accepts, from the user, a foldingprocess execution request for a target job via the UI unit when a key706 is pressed in the display of FIG. 7 executed by the UI unit underthe control of the control unit 205. In response to this request, thecontrol unit 205 causes the saddle stitching device serving as the sheetprocessing device 200c in FIG. 8A to fold (e.g., Z-fold) printed sheetsof the job.

For example, the control unit 205 accepts, from the user, a case bindingprocess execution request for a target job via the UI unit when the key707 is pressed in the display of FIG. 7 executed by the UI unit underthe control of the control unit 205. In response to this request, thecontrol unit 205 causes the glue binding device serving as the sheetprocessing device 200b in FIG. 8A to case-bind printed sheets of thejob.

For example, the control unit 205 accepts, from the user, a pad bindingprocess execution request for a target job via the UI unit when the key708 is pressed in the display of FIG. 7 executed by the UI unit underthe control of the control unit 205. In response to this request, thecontrol unit 205 causes the glue binding device serving as the sheetprocessing device 200b in FIG. 8A to pad-bind printed sheets of the job.

For example, the control unit 205 accepts, from the user, a large-volumestacking process execution request for a target job via the UI unit whena key 709 is pressed in the display of FIG. 7 executed by the UI unitunder the control of the control unit 205. In response to this request,the control unit 205 causes the large-volume stacker serving as thesheet processing device 200a in FIG. 8A to stack a large number ofprinted sheets of the job.

As described above, the control unit 205 controls to accept, via the UIunit together with a print execution request, a request to execute asheet process desired by the user among selection candidatescorresponding to sheet processes executable by the sheet processingdevices of the system 1000. In response to accepting a request from theuser via the UI unit provided by the embodiment to print a target job,the control unit 205 causes the printer unit 203 to execute a printprocess necessary for the job. Further, the control unit 205 causes asheet processing device of the system 1000 to execute a sheet processnecessary for printed sheets of the job.

As another feature of the embodiment, the control unit 205 executes thefollowing control in the system 1000.

For example, the system 1000 has the system configuration as shown inFIG. 8A. That is, the printing system 1000 is built by connecting theprinting device 100→the large-volume stacker→the glue binding device→thesaddle stitching device in the order named. The internal systemconfiguration in this case is as shown in FIG. 8B.

FIG. 8B is a sectional view of the devices of the whole printing system1000 when the printing system 1000 has the system configuration shown inFIG. 8A. The device configuration in FIG. 8B corresponds to that in FIG.8A.

FIG. 8B is a sectional view of the devices of the whole system 1000. Thedevice configuration in FIG. 8B corresponds to that in FIG. 8A.

As is apparent from the internal device configuration in FIG. 8B, asheet printed by the printer unit 203 of the printing device 100 issuppliable into the respective sheet processing devices. Morespecifically, as shown in FIG. 8B, the respective sheet processingdevices comprise sheet feeding paths capable of feeding a sheet viapoints A, B, and C in the devices.

Each inline type sheet processing device such as the sheet processingdevice 200a or 200b in FIG. 8B has a function of receiving a sheet froma preceding device connected to the input side of the sheet processingdevice even if a target job does not require a sheet process executableby the sheet processing device. Each inline type sheet processing devicehas a function of transferring a sheet received from the precedingdevice to a succeeding device connected to the output side of the sheetprocessing device.

As described above, in the printing system 1000 of the embodiment, asheet processing device, which executes a sheet process different fromsheet processes necessary for a target job, has a function of conveyingsheets of the target job from a preceding device to a succeeding device.This configuration is also a feature of the embodiment.

On the premise of the above system configuration, for example, when theprinting system 1000 has the system configuration shown in FIGS. 8A and8B, the control unit 205 executes the following control for the system1000 for a job for which the user issues a print execution request viathe UI unit according to the above-described method. A control examplecalled (case 1) in FIG. 8B, a control example called (case 2) in FIG.8B, and a control example called (case 3) in FIG. 8B will besequentially explained as control examples executed by the control unit205 for the system 1000 on condition that the system 1000 has the systemconfiguration shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B.

The control example (case 1) in FIG. 8B will be explained which iscontrol executed by the control unit 205 for the system 1000 on acondition that the system 1000 has the system configuration illustratedin FIGS. 8A and 8B. For example, when the system 1000 has the systemconfiguration in FIGS. 8A and 8B, a target job whose print executionrequest is accepted from a user requires a sheet process (e.g., astacking process) by the large-volume stacker after a print process.This job is called a “stacker job”.

A case will be explained in which the system 1000 processes the stackerjob when the system 1000 has the system configuration shown in FIGS. 8Aand 8B. In this case, the control unit 205 makes job sheets printed bythe printing device 100 pass through point A in FIG. 8B, and causes thelarge-volume stacker to execute the sheet process. The control unit 205holds the print result of the stacker job having undergone the sheetprocess (e.g., the stacking process) by the large-volume stacker, at adelivery destination X inside the large-volume stacker shown in FIG. 8Bwithout conveying the print result to another device (e.g., an inlinefinisher positioned on the output side of the large-volume stacker inthe system of FIG. 8B).

An operator can directly take out, from the delivery destination X, theprinted material of the stacker job held at the delivery destination Xin FIG. 8B. In other words, this configuration can omit a series ofdevice operations and operator operations to convey sheets to a mostdownstream delivery destination Z in the sheet conveyance direction inFIG. 8B and take out the printed material of the stacker job from thedelivery destination Z.

A series of control operations executed by the control unit 205 when theprinting system 1000 has the system configuration in FIGS. 8A and 8Bcorresponds to the control example (case 1) in FIG. 8B.

The control example (case 2) in FIG. 8B will be explained which iscontrol executed by the control unit 205 for the system 1000 oncondition that the system 1000 has the system configuration illustratedin FIGS. 8A and 8B. For example, when the system 1000 has the systemconfiguration in FIGS. 8A and 8B, a target job whose print executionrequest is accepted from a user requires a sheet process (e.g., a casebinding process or pad binding process) by the glue binding device aftera print process. This job is called a “glue binding job”.

A case will be explained in which the system 1000 processes the gluebinding job when the system 1000 has the system configuration shown inFIGS. 8A and 8B. In this case, the control unit 205 makes job sheetsprinted by the printing device 100 pass through points A and B in FIG.8B, and causes the glue binding device to execute the sheet process. Thecontrol unit 205 holds the print result of the glue binding job havingundergone the sheet process (e.g., the case binding process or padbinding process) by the glue binding device, at a delivery destination Yinside the glue binding device shown in FIG. 8B without conveying theprint result to another device (e.g., an inline finisher positioned onthe output side of the glue binding device in the system of FIG. 8B).

The operator can directly take out, from the delivery destination Y, theprinted material of the glue binding job held at the deliverydestination Y in FIG. 8B. In other words, this configuration can omit aseries of device operations and operator operations to convey sheets tothe most downstream delivery destination Z in the sheet conveyancedirection in FIG. 8B and take out the printed material of the gluebinding job from the delivery destination Z.

A series of control operations executed by the control unit 205 when theprinting system 1000 has the system configuration in FIGS. 8G and 8Bcorresponds to the control example (case 2) in FIG. 8B.

The control example (case 3) in FIG. 8B will be explained which iscontrol executed by the control unit 205 for the system 1000 oncondition that the system 1000 has the system configuration illustratedin FIGS. 8A and 8B. For example, when the system 1000 has the systemconfiguration in FIGS. 8A and 8B, a target job whose print executionrequest is accepted from a user requires a sheet process (e.g., a saddlestitching process, punching process, trimming process, shift deliveryprocess, or folding process) by the saddle stitching process after aprint process. This job is called a “saddle stitching job”.

A case will be explained in which the system 1000 processes the saddlestitching job when the system 1000 has the system configuration shown inFIGS. 8A and 8B. In this case, the control unit 205 makes job sheetsprinted by the printing device 100 pass through points A, B, and C inFIG. 8B, and causes the saddle stitching device to execute the sheetprocess. The control unit 205 holds the print result of the saddlestitching job having undergone the sheet process by the saddle stitchingdevice, at the delivery destination Z of the saddle stitching deviceshown in FIG. 8B without conveying the print result to another device.

The delivery destination Z in FIG. 8B has a plurality of deliverydestination candidates. This is because the saddle stitching device ofthe embodiment can execute a plurality of sheet processes and thedelivery destination changes in each sheet process, which will bedescribed with reference to FIG. 13.

A series of control operations executed by the control unit 205 when theprinting system 1000 has the system configuration in FIGS. 8A and 8Bcorresponds to the control example (case 3) in FIG. 8B.

As described above, the control unit 205 serving as an example of thecontrol unit of the embodiment also executes paper handling controlbased on system configuration information of the system 1000 that isstored in the HD 209.

Information corresponding to the system configuration informationcontains information representing whether the system comprises an inlinefinisher, and when the system comprises an inline finisher, informationon the number of inline finishers and their performance information.When the system comprises a plurality of inline finishers, theirconnection order information is also contained in the systemconfiguration information.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, 8A, 8B, and the like, the printing system 1000according to the embodiment enables connecting a plurality of inlinetype sheet processing devices to the printing device 100. As is apparentfrom a comparison between FIGS. 8A and 8B and FIGS. 9A, 9B, 10A, and 10B(to be described later), a plurality of inline type sheet processingdevices can be independently connected or disconnected, or a freecombination of them can be attached to the printing device 100. Theconnection order of inline type sheet processing devices is arbitrary aslong as they are physically connectable. However, the embodiment imposesrestrictions on the system configuration.

For example, a device permitted to be adopted as an inline type sheetprocessing device in the system 1000 must satisfy the followingconstituent components.

A sheet processing device can execute a sheet process for sheets of ajob requiring a sheet process executable by the sheet processing device,and has a sheet conveyance function of receiving, from a precedingdevice, sheets of a job requiring no sheet process by the sheetprocessing device and transferring them to a succeeding device. In thisexample, this sheet processing device corresponds to the large-volumestacker and glue binding device shown in the system configuration ofFIGS. 8A and 8B and that of FIGS. 9A and 9B (to be described later).

The embodiment also permits the use of a sheet processing device, whichdoes not meet the above configuration, as an inline type sheetprocessing device in the system 1000. For example, this device satisfiesthe following components.

A sheet processing device can execute a sheet process for sheets of ajob requiring a sheet process executable by the sheet processing device,but does not have the sheet conveyance function of receiving, from apreceding device, sheets of a job requiring no sheet process by thesheet processing device and transferring them to a succeeding device. Inthis example, this sheet processing device corresponds to the saddlestitching device shown in the system configuration of FIGS. 8A and 8B,that of FIGS. 9A and 9B, and that of FIGS. 10A and 10B (to be describedlater). The embodiment imposes restrictions on a device of this type.

For example, when the printing system 1000 employs an inline finisher(e.g., the saddle stitching device in FIGS. 8A and 8B) having nofunction of conveying sheets to a succeeding device, the number ofdevices of this type is limited to one. However, the embodiment permitssimultaneous use of inline finishers of another type.

For example, the embodiment permits the use of the large-volume stackerand glue binding device together with the saddle stitching device, asrepresented by the system configuration of FIGS. 8A and 8B and that ofFIGS. 9A and 9B (to be described later). When a plurality of sheetprocessing devices are cascade-connected and used, an inline type sheetprocessing device having no function of conveying sheets to a succeedingdevice is installed at the most downstream position in the sheetconveyance direction.

For example, the saddle stitching device is connected last in the system1000, as represented by the system configuration of FIGS. 8A and 8B andthat of FIGS. 9A and 9B (to be described later) That is, it is inhibitedto configure the system by interposing the saddle stitching devicebetween the large-volume stacker and the glue binding device, as asystem configuration different from that of FIGS. 8A and 8B and that ofFIGS. 9A and 9B (to be described later).

The control unit of the system comprehensively controls the system 1000so as to operate under the above-described restrictions.

For example, if inline type sheet processing devices are connected in aconnection order which violates the restrictions, the control unit 205causes the UI unit to display a warning. For example, when a user inputsthe connection order of sheet processing devices via the UI unit, asrepresented by the above-mentioned configuration, the control unit 205controls to invalidate a user setting which violates the restrictions.For example, the control unit 205 executes gray-out display or hatchingdisplay to inhibit any improper connection setting.

By employing the above configuration, any user operation error, devicemalfunction, and the like can be prevented in the configuration of theembodiment. That is, this configuration further enhances effectsdescribed in the embodiment.

On the premise of this configuration, the embodiment can freely buildthe system configuration of the system 1000 under the restrictions.

For example, the operator of the POD system 10000 can arbitrarilydetermine and change the connection order of inline type sheetprocessing devices and the number of connected inline type sheetprocessing devices under the restrictions. The system 1000 executescontrol corresponding to the system configuration status. An example ofthis control will be described.

The printing system 1000 can also take the system configuration in FIG.9A, as an example of a system configuration in which the connectionorder of inline type sheet processing devices changes from that in thesystem configuration of FIG. 8A.

The system configuration of FIG. 9A is different from that of FIG. 8A inthe connection order of inline sheet processing devices of the system1000. More specifically, the printing system 1000 is built by connectingthe printing device 100→the glue binding device→the large-volumestacker→the saddle stitching device in the order named. The internalsystem configuration in this case is as shown in FIG. 9B.

FIG. 9B is a sectional view of the devices of the whole printing system1000 when the printing system 1000 has the system configuration in FIG.9A. The system configuration in FIG. 9B corresponds to the internalsystem configuration in FIG. 9A.

Similar to the above-described system configuration example, theinternal system configuration in FIG. 9B can also supply a sheet printedby the printer unit 203 of the printing device 100 into the respectivesheet processing devices. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 9B, therespective sheet processing devices comprise sheet feeding paths capableof feeding a sheet from the printer unit 203 via points A, B, and C inthe devices.

The system configuration in FIGS. 9A and 9B also follows the aboverestrictions. For example, the sheet processing devices cascade-connectto the printing device 100 so as to install the saddle stitching deviceat the most downstream position in the sheet conveyance direction.

On the premise of the above system configuration, for example, when theprinting system 1000 has the system configuration shown in FIGS. 9A and9B, the control unit 205 executes the following control for a job forwhich the user issues a print execution request via the UI unitaccording to the above-described method. A control example called (case1) in FIG. 9B, a control example called (case 2) in FIG. 9B, and acontrol example called (case 3) in FIG. 9B will be sequentiallyexplained as control examples executed by the control unit 205 for thesystem 1000 on the condition that the system 1000 has the systemconfiguration shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B.

The control example (case 1) in FIG. 9B which is control executed by thecontrol unit 205 for the system 1000 on the condition that the system1000 has the system configuration illustrated in FIGS. 9A and 9B will beexplained. For example, when the system 1000 has the systemconfiguration in FIGS. 9A and 9B, a target job whose print executionrequest is accepted from a user requires a sheet process (e.g., astacking process) by the large-volume stacker after a print process.This job is called a “stacker job”.

A case will be explained in which the system 1000 processes the stackerjob when the system 1000 has the system configuration shown in FIGS. 9Aand 9B. In this case, the control unit 205 makes job sheets printed bythe printing device 100 pass through points A and B in FIG. 9B, andcauses the large-volume stacker to execute the sheet process. Thecontrol unit 205 holds the print result of the stacker job havingundergone the sheet process (e.g., the stacking process) by thelarge-volume stacker, at the delivery destination Y inside thelarge-volume stacker shown in FIG. 9B, without conveying the printresult to another device (e.g., an inline finisher positioned on theoutput side of the large-volume stacker in the system of FIG. 9B).

An operator can directly take out, from the delivery destination Y, theprinted material of the stacker job held at the delivery destination Yin FIG. 9B. In other words, this configuration can omit a series ofdevice and operator operations to convey sheets to the most downstreamdelivery destination Z in the sheet conveyance direction in FIG. 9B, andtake out the printed material of the stacker job from the deliverydestination Z.

A series of control operations executed by the control unit 205 when theprinting system 1000 has the system configuration in FIGS. 9A and 9Bcorresponds to the control example (case 1) in FIG. 9B.

The control example (case 2) in FIG. 9B which is control executed by thecontrol unit 205 for the system 1000 on the condition that the system1000 has the system configuration illustrated in FIGS. 9A and 9B will beexplained. For example, when the system 1000 has the systemconfiguration in FIGS. 9A and 9B, a target job whose print executionrequest is accepted from a user requires a sheet process (e.g., a casebinding process or pad binding process) by the glue binding device aftera print process. This job is called a “glue binding job”.

A case will be explained in which the system 1000 processes the gluebinding job when the system 1000 has the system configuration shown inFIGS. 9A and 9B. In this case, the control unit 205 makes job sheetsprinted by the printing device 100 pass through point A in FIG. 9B, andcauses the glue binding device to execute the sheet process. The controlunit 205 holds the print result of the glue binding job having undergonethe sheet process (e.g., the case binding process or pad bindingprocess) by the glue binding device, at the delivery destination Xinside the glue binding device shown in FIG. 9B, without conveying theprint result to another device (e.g., an inline finisher positioned onthe output side of the glue binding device in the system of FIG. 9B).

The operator can directly take out, from the delivery destination X, theprinted material of the glue binding job held at the deliverydestination X in FIG. 9B. In other words, this configuration can omit aseries of device and operator operations to convey sheets to the mostdownstream delivery destination Z in the sheet conveyance direction inFIG. 9B and take out the printed material of the glue binding job fromthe delivery destination Z.

A series of control operations executed by the control unit 205 when theprinting system 1000 has the system configuration in FIGS. 9A and 9Bcorresponds to the control example (case 2) in FIG. 9B.

The control example (case 3) in FIG. 9B which is control executed by thecontrol unit 205 for the system 1000 on the condition that the system1000 has the system configuration illustrated in FIGS. 9A and 9B will beexplained. For example, when the system 1000 has the systemconfiguration in FIGS. 9A and 9B, a target job whose print executionrequest is accepted from a user requires a sheet process (e.g., a saddlestitching process, punching process, trimming process, shift deliveryprocess, or folding process) by the saddle stitching process after aprint process. This job is called a “saddle stitching job”.

A case will be explained in which the system 1000 processes the saddlestitching job when the system 1000 has the system configuration shown inFIGS. 9A and 9B. In this case, the control unit 205 makes job sheetsprinted by the printing device 100 pass through points A, B, and C inFIG. 9B, and causes the saddle stitching device to execute the sheetprocess. The control unit 205 holds the print result of the saddlestitching job having undergone the sheet process by the saddle stitchingdevice, at the delivery destination Z of the saddle stitching deviceshown in FIG. 9B without conveying the print result to another device.

The delivery destination Z in FIG. 9B has a plurality of deliverydestination candidates. This is because the saddle stitching device ofthe embodiment can execute a plurality of sheet processes and thedelivery destination changes in each sheet process, which will bedescribed with reference to FIG. 13.

A series of control operations executed by the control unit 205 when theprinting system 1000 has the system configuration in FIGS. 9A and 9Bcorresponds to the control example (case 3) in FIG. 9B.

As illustrated in FIGS. 8A, 8B, 9A, and 9B, the printing system 1000 canflexibly change the connection order of sheet processing devicespermitted to be used as inline sheet processing devices under therestrictions. The present invention provides many mechanisms formaximizing the above-described effects of the embodiment.

From this viewpoint, in the embodiment, the system 1000 can properlyemploy a configuration other than the system configurations as shown inFIGS. 8A, 8B, 9A, and 9B. An example of this configuration will beexplained below.

For example, the system configurations in FIGS. 8A, 8B, 9A, and 9B eachcomprise three inline type sheet processing devices. In the embodiment,a user can arbitrarily determine the number of inline type sheetprocessing devices under the restrictions.

For example, the printing system 1000 can also adopt the systemconfiguration in FIG. 10A.

The system configuration of FIG. 10A is different from those of FIGS. 8Aand 9A in the number of connected sheet processing devices. Morespecifically, the printing system 1000 is built by connecting two sheetprocessing devices in the order of the printing device 100→thelarge-volume stacker→the saddle stitching device. The internal systemconfiguration in this case is as shown in FIG. 10B.

FIG. 10B is a sectional view of the system configuration of the overallprinting system 1000 when the printing system 1000 has the systemconfiguration in FIG. 10A. The device configuration of FIG. 10Bcorresponds to that of FIG. 10A.

Similar to the above-described system configuration examples, theinternal device configuration in FIG. 10B can also supply a sheetprinted by the printer unit 203 of the printing device 100 into therespective sheet processing devices. More specifically, as shown in FIG.10B, the respective sheet processing devices comprise sheet feedingpaths capable of feeding a sheet via points A and B in the devices. Thissystem configuration also follows the above restrictions. For example,the sheet processing devices are connected so as to install the saddlestitching device at the most downstream position in the sheet conveyancedirection, as described above.

On the premise of the above system configuration, for example, when theprinting system 1000 has the system configuration as shown in FIGS. 10Aand 10B, the control unit 205 executes the following control for a jobfor which the user issues a print execution request via the UI unitaccording to the above-described method. A control example called (case1) in FIG. 10B, a control example called (case 2) in FIG. 10B, and acontrol example called (inhibition control) in FIG. 10B will besequentially explained as control examples executed by the control unit205 for the system 1000 on the condition that the system 1000 has thesystem configuration shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B.

The control example (case 1) in FIG. 10B will be explained which iscontrol executed by the control unit 205 for the system 1000 oncondition that the system 1000 has the system configuration illustratedin FIGS. 10A and 10B. For example, when the system 1000 has the systemconfiguration in FIGS. 10A and 10B, a target job whose print executionrequest is accepted from a user requires a sheet process (e.g., astacking process) by the large-volume stacker after a print process.This job is called a “stacker job”.

A case will be explained in which the system 1000 processes the stackerjob when the system 1000 has the system configuration shown in FIGS. 10Aand 10B. In this case, the control unit 205 makes job sheets printed bythe printing device 100 pass through point A in FIG. 10B, and causes thelarge-volume stacker to execute the sheet process. The control unit 205holds the print result of the stacker job having undergone the sheetprocess (e.g., the stacking process) by the large-volume stacker, at thedelivery destination X inside the large-volume stacker shown in FIG.10B, without conveying the print result to another device (e.g., aninline finisher positioned on the output side of the large-volumestacker in the system of FIG. 10B).

An operator can directly take out, from the delivery destination X, theprinted material of the stacker job held at the delivery destination Xin FIG. 10B. In other words, this configuration can omit a series ofdevice and operator operations to convey sheets to the most downstreamdelivery destination Y in the sheet conveyance direction in FIG. 10B andtake out the printed material of the stacker job from the deliverydestination Y.

A series of control operations executed by the control unit 205 when theprinting system 1000 has the system configuration in FIGS. 10A and 10Bcorresponds to the control example (case 1) in FIG. 10B.

The control example (case 2) in FIG. 10B will be explained which iscontrol executed by the control unit 205 for the system 1000 oncondition that the system 1000 has the system configuration illustratedin FIGS. 10A and 10B. For example, when the system 1000 has the systemconfiguration in FIGS. 10A and 10B, a target job whose print executionrequest is accepted from a user requires a sheet process (e.g., a saddlestitching process, punching process, trimming process, shift deliveryprocess, or folding process) by the saddle stitching process after aprint process. This job is called a “saddle stitching job”.

A case will be explained in which the system 1000 processes the saddlestitching job when the system 1000 has the system configuration shown inFIGS. 10A and 10B. In this case, the control unit 205 makes job sheetsprinted by the printing device 100 pass through points A and B in FIG.10B, and causes the saddle stitching device to execute the sheetprocess. The control unit 205 holds the print result of the saddlestitching job having undergone the sheet process by the saddle stitchingdevice, at the delivery destination Y of the saddle stitching deviceshown in FIG. 10B, without conveying the print result to another device.

The delivery destination Y in FIG. 10B has a plurality of deliverydestination candidates. This is because the saddle stitching device ofthe embodiment can execute a plurality of sheet processes and thedelivery destination changes in each sheet process, which will bedescribed with reference to FIG. 13.

A series of control operations executed by the control unit 205 when theprinting system 1000 has the system configuration in FIGS. 10A and 10Bcorresponds to the control example (case 2) in FIG. 10B.

In the system configuration of FIGS. 10A and 10B, the control unit 205inhibits acceptance of a request from the user to execute a sheetprocess (e.g., a case binding process or pad binding process) by theglue binding device. This control is (inhibition control) in FIG. 10Bwhich is control executed by the control unit 205 for the system 1000 onthe condition that the system 1000 has the system configurationillustrated in FIGS. 10A and 10B. A detailed example of (inhibitioncontrol) in FIG. 10B will be described.

For example, when the printing system has the system configuration as inFIGS. 10A and 10B, the control unit 205 controls the UI unit to hatch orgray out the display keys 707 and 708 in causing the UI unit to executethe display of FIG. 7. In other words, the control unit 205 invalidatesuser operations to the keys 707 and 708.

When the system 1000 has the system configuration shown in FIGS. 10A and10B, as described above, the control unit 205 inhibits the system 1000from executing the glue binding process.

Control executed by the control unit 205 when the printing system 1000has the system configuration in FIGS. 10A and 10B corresponds to(inhibition control) in FIG. 10B.

As described above, the control unit 205 executes various controlexamples depending on the number of connected inline type sheetprocessing devices in the printing system 1000. That is, the controlunit 205 executes various control examples corresponding to sheetprocess types executable by the system 1000.

As is apparent from the description of FIGS. 8A to 10B and the like, thecontrol unit of the printing system 1000 causes the system 1000 toexecute various control examples corresponding to system configurationstatuses (the number of connected inline sheet processing devices andthe connection order) of the system 1000.

The embodiment flexibly changes the connection order of inline sheetprocessing devices and the number of connected inline sheet processingdevices in the printing system 1000 so as to meet user needs because theembodiment considers all user merits.

The reason why each inline type sheet processing device permitted to beused in the system 1000 is an independent housing and is detachable fromthe printing device will be described.

As one reason, this mechanism considers a company or the like which doesnot require any case binding process but wants to perform a large-volumestacking process, as a POD company which is the delivery destination ofthe system 1000.

In the system use environment, a need to implement all nine sheetprocesses by inline sheet processing devices is expected. A need toimplement only a specific sheet process by an inline sheet processingdevice may also arise. The embodiment provides a mechanism coping withvarious needs from respective POD companies serving as deliverydestinations.

The reason why inline type sheet processing devices permitted to be usedin the system 1000 can be arbitrarily changed in connection order andcombined under the restrictions will be explained. This reason is also areason for setting a delivery destination at which an operator can takeout a printed material from each inline sheet processing device, asshown in FIGS. 8A, 8B, 9A, and 9B.

As one reason, user friendliness of the system 1000 improves by flexiblybuilding the system in accordance with the frequencies of use of sheetprocesses requested in the printing system 1000.

For example, a POD company having the POD system 10000 in FIG. 1 tendsto receive a relatively large number of print jobs requiring a casebinding process for a user manual, guidebook, and the like, as printform needs from customers. In this use environment, it is moreconvenient to build the system 1000 not in the connection order as shownin FIGS. 8A and 8B but in the connection order as shown in FIGS. 9A and9B.

In other words, it is more convenient to connect the glue binding deviceat a portion closer to the printing device 100. This is because ashorter sheet conveyance distance in the device necessary to execute acase binding process for a case binding job is effective.

For example, as the sheet conveyance distance is longer, the time takento complete a printed material as the final product of the job islonger. As the sheet conveyance distance is longer, the jam generationrate in the device during a sheet conveyance operation is likely to behigher. These are reasons for the flexible connection order.

For a POD company which receives many case binding jobs as user needs,not the system configuration of FIGS. 8A and 8B but that of FIGS. 9A and9B can shorten the sheet conveyance distance necessary to create aprinted material of a case binding job, and allows for quick retrievalof the printed material.

Assume that another POD company tends to receive many jobs requiringlarge-volume sheet stacking. For this POD company, not the systemconfiguration of FIGS. 9A and 9B but that of FIGS. 8A and 8B can shortenthe sheet conveyance distance necessary to create a printed material ofa stacker job, and allows for quick retrieval of the printed material.

In this fashion, the embodiment facilitates an increase in productivityof jobs in the printing system 1000 with an efficient, flexible systemconfiguration suited to the use environment. In addition, the embodimentcan provide many mechanisms which enhance the user friendliness of thesystem 1000.

Concrete examples of the internal structures of various inline typesheet processing devices available in the system 1000 illustrated inFIGS. 8A to 10B will be described for each sheet processing device.

[Internal Structure of Large-Volume Stacker]

FIG. 11 is a sectional view showing an example of the internal structureof the large-volume stacker in FIGS. 8A to 10B controlled by the controlunit 205 in the embodiment.

In the large-volume stacker, the sheet feeding path extending from theprinting device 100 is roughly divided into three paths: a straightpath, escape path, and stack path, as shown in FIG. 11. The large-volumestacker incorporates these three sheet feeding paths.

The straight path of the large-volume stacker in FIG. 11 and that of theglue binding device in FIG. 12 function to transfer sheets received froma preceding device to a succeeding device, and are also called throughpaths in inline sheet processing devices in this example.

The straight path in the large-volume stacker is a sheet feeding pathfor transferring, to a succeeding device, sheets of a job requiring nosheet stacking process by the stacking unit of the stacker. In otherwords, the straight path is a unit for conveying sheets of a jobrequiring no sheet process by the sheet processing device from anupstream device to a downstream device.

The escape path in the large-volume stacker is used to output sheetswithout stacking them. For example, when no succeeding sheet processingdevice is connected, a printed material is conveyed to the escape pathand taken out from the stack tray so as to quickly take out the printedmaterial from the stack tray for the purpose of output confirmation work(proof print) or the like.

The sheet feeding path in the large-volume stacker comprises a pluralityof sheet sensors necessary to detect the sheet conveyance status andjam.

The CPU (not shown) of the large-volume stacker notifies the controlunit 205 of sheet detection information from each sensor via a signalline (signal line shown in FIG. 2 for electrically connecting the sheetprocessing device 200 and control unit 205) for communicating data withthe control unit 205. Based on the information from the large-volumestacker, the control unit 205 grasps the sheet conveyance status and jamin the large-volume stacker. When the printing system is configured bycascade-connecting another sheet processing device between thelarge-volume stacker and the printing device 100, the CPU of thelarge-volume stacker notifies the control unit 205 via the CPU of thesheet processing device of sensor information of the large-volumestacker. As described above, the large-volume stacker comprises anarrangement unique to an inline finisher.

The stack path in the large-volume stacker is a sheet feeding path forcausing the large-volume stacker to stack sheets of a job requiring asheet stacking process by the stacking unit of the stacker.

For example, the system 1000 comprises the large-volume stacker shown inFIGS. 8A to 10B. In this system configuration status, the control unit205 accepts a request from a user via the UI unit by a key operation tothe key 709 in the display of FIG. 7 to execute a sheet stacking processexecutable by the stacker for a target job. The control unit 205controls to convey sheets to the stack path of the large-volume stacker.The sheets conveyed to the stack path are delivered to the stack tray.

The stack tray in FIG. 11 is a stacking unit mounted on an extensiblestay. A shock absorber or the like is attached to the joint between thestay and the stack tray. The control unit 205 controls the large-volumestacker to stack printed sheets of a target job using the stack tray. Atruck supports the extensible stay from below. When attaching a handle(not shown) to the truck, the truck can carry stacked outputs to anotheroffline finisher.

When the front door of the stacker unit is kept closed, the extensiblestay moves up to a position where outputs are easily stacked. If anoperator opens the front door (or issues an opening instruction), thestack tray moves downward.

Outputs can be stacked by flat stacking or shift stacking. Flat stackingmeans always stacking sheets at the same position. Shift stacking meansstacking sheets with a shift in a far/near direction every number ofcopies or jobs so as to divide outputs for easy handling.

The large-volume stacker permitted to be used as an inline type sheetprocessing device in the system 1000 can execute a plurality of stackingmethods when stacking sheets from the printer unit 203. The control unit205 controls various operations for the stacker.

[Internal Structure of Glue Binding Device]

FIG. 12 is a sectional view showing an example of the internal structureof the glue binding device in FIGS. 8A to 108 controlled by the controlunit 205 in the embodiment.

In the glue binding device, the sheet feeding path extending from theprinting device 100 is roughly divided into three: a straight path, mainbody path, and cover path, as shown in FIG. 12. The glue binding deviceincorporates these three sheet feeding paths.

The straight path (through path) of the glue binding device in FIG. 12is a sheet feeding path functioning to transfer, to a succeeding device,sheets of a job requiring no sheet glue binding process by the gluebinding unit of the device. In other words, the straight path is a unitfor conveying sheets of a job requiring no sheet process by the sheetprocessing device from an upstream device to a downstream device.

The sheet feeding path in the glue binding device comprises a pluralityof sheet sensors necessary to detect the sheet conveyance status andjam.

The CPU (not shown) of the glue binding device notifies the control unit205 of sheet detection information from each sensor via a signal line(signal line shown in FIG. 2 for electrically connecting the sheetprocessing device 200 and control unit 205) for communicating data withthe control unit 205. Based on the information from the glue bindingdevice, the control unit 205 grasps the sheet conveyance status and jamin the glue binding device. When the printing system is configured bycascade-connecting another sheet processing device between the gluebinding device and the printing device 100, the CPU of the glue bindingdevice notifies the control unit 205 via the CPU of the sheet processingdevice of sensor information of the glue binding device. In this manner,the glue binding device comprises an arrangement unique to an inlinefinisher.

The main body path and cover path in the glue binding device in FIG. 12are sheet feeding paths for creating a case-bound printed material.

For example, according to the embodiment, the printer unit 203 printsthe print data of a body by a case binding print process. Printed sheetsare used as the body of an output material corresponding to a case-boundprinted material of one bundle. In case binding, a sheet bundle of abody on which print data corresponding to the body (contents) is printedis called a “main body” in this example. A process to wrap the main bodywith one cover sheet is executed in the case binding process. Thecontrol unit 205 executes various sheet conveyance control examples toconvey a cover sheet through the cover path, and convey sheets of themain body printed by the printer unit 203 to the main body path.

In this configuration, the control unit 205 accepts a request from auser via the UI unit by a key operation to the key 707 in the display ofFIG. 7 to execute a case binding process executable by the glue bindingdevice for a target job. The control unit 205 controls the device asfollows.

For example, the control unit 205 sequentially accumulates sheetsprinted by the printer unit 203 on the stacking unit via the main bodypath in FIG. 12. After the stacking unit accumulates sheets of all pageson which body data necessary for sheets of one bundle for a job to beprocessed are printed, the control unit 205 conveys a cover sheetnecessary for the job via the cover path.

Case binding has a matter associated with a feature of the embodiment.In a case binding process as an example of a glue binding process inthis example, the number of sheets that can be processed as one sheetbundle is much larger than the number of sheets that can be processed asone sheet bundle by a sheet process different from the glue bindingprocess. For example, the case binding process can process a maximum of200 sheets as one sheet bundle of the body. To the contrary, thestapling process or the like can process a maximum of 20 print sheets asone sheet bundle, and the saddle stitching process can process a maximumof 15 print sheets. The allowable number of print sheets to be processedas one sheet bundle is greatly different between the glue bindingprocess and other sheet processes.

In the embodiment, the control unit 205 can control an inline type sheetprocessing device to execute the case binding process as a glue bindingprocess. Further, the embodiment can provide new finishing which is notrequested in the office environment and is executable by an inline typesheet processing device. In other words, the above arrangement is onemechanism assuming the POD environment, and is associated with controlto be described later.

Case binding can use a cover data pre-printed sheet conveyed from theinserter tray of the inserter of the glue binding device, as shown inFIG. 12. Case binding can also use a sheet bearing a cover image printedby the printing device 100. Either sheet is conveyed as a cover sheet tothe cover path. Conveyance of the cover sheet is suspended below thestacking unit.

In parallel with this operation, the glue binding device executes agluing process for a main body of sheets which bear all the pages of thebody and are stacked on the stacking unit. For example, the gluing unitapplies a predetermined amount of glue to the lower portion of the mainbody. After the glue spreads sufficiently, the pasted portion of themain body is attached to the center of the cover, covered, and joined.In joining, the main body is pushed down, and the covered main bodyslides onto a rotating table along the guide. The guide moves so thatthe covered main body falls onto the rotating table.

The aligning unit aligns the covered main body laid on the rotatingtable, and the cutter cuts an edge. The rotating table rotates through90°, the aligning unit aligns the main body, and the cutter cuts the topedge. The rotating table rotates through 180°, the aligning unit alignsthe main body, and the cutter cuts the tail edge.

After cutting, the aligning unit pushes the main body to an innerportion, putting the completed covered main body into a basket.

After the glue is satisfactorily dried in the basket, an operator cantake out the completed case-bound bundle.

The glue binding device comprises a gluing unit which executes a gluebinding process for sheets of a target job for which the user issues aglue binding process execution request together with a print executionrequest via the UI unit.

As described above with reference to the configuration, the glue bindingprocess executable by an inline type sheet processing device in theembodiment has many process steps and many preparations, compared toother sheet processes. In other words, the glue binding process isdifferent in configuration from sheet processes such as stapling andsaddle stitching often used in the office environment. The process timetaken to complete a requested sheet process is likely to be longer thanthose of other finishing processes. The embodiment pays attention tothis point.

As is apparent from the glue binding function, the embodiment adopts amechanism which applies not only to the office environment but also to anew printing environment such as the POD environment, pursues userfriendliness and productivity, and puts a printing system and productinto practical use. For example, new functions such as the case bindingfunction and large-volume stacking function which are not supported inthe office environment are provided as constituent features availableeven in the POD environment. As illustrated in FIGS. 8A to 10B, systemconfigurations capable of connecting a plurality of inline type sheetprocessing devices to the printing device are also mechanisms forachieving this purpose.

It should be noted that the embodiment not only provides theabove-described new functions and system configurations, but also findsout and examines problems to be tackled, such as use cases and userneeds assumed in the use of the function configurations. One feature isto provide constituent features serving as solutions to the problems. Inthis way, the embodiment finds out and examines in advance marketdemands and the like as problems to newly equipped functions and systemconfigurations, and employs mechanisms as configurations consideringsolutions to the problems when an office-equipment maker finds andenters a new market. This is also a feature of the embodiment. As anexample of the constituent features, the control unit 205 executesvarious control examples in the embodiment.

[Internal Structure of Saddle Stitching Device]

FIG. 13 is a sectional view showing an example of the internal structureof the saddle stitching device in FIGS. 8A to 10B controlled by thecontrol unit 205 in the embodiment.

The saddle stitching device incorporates various units for selectivelyexecuting a stapling process, trimming process, punching process,folding process, shift delivery process, and the like for sheets fromthe printing device 100. As described in the restrictions, the saddlestitching device does not have a through path serving as the function ofconveying sheets to a succeeding device.

The sheet feeding path in the saddle stitching device comprises aplurality of sheet sensors necessary to detect the sheet conveyancestatus and jam.

The CPU (not shown) of the saddle stitching device notifies the controlunit 205 of sheet detection information from each sensor via a signalline (signal line shown in FIG. 2 for electrically connecting the sheetprocessing device 200 and control unit 205) for communicating data withthe control unit 205. Based on the information from the saddle stitchingdevice, the control unit 205 grasps the sheet conveyance status and jamin the saddle stitching device. When the printing system is configuredby cascade-connecting another sheet processing device between the saddlestitching device and the printing device 100, the CPU of the saddlestitching device notifies the control unit 205 via the CPU of the sheetprocessing device of sensor information of the saddle stitching device.The saddle stitching device comprises an arrangement unique to an inlinefinisher.

As shown in FIG. 13, the saddle stitching device comprises a sampletray, stack tray, and booklet tray. The control unit 205 controls toswitch the unit for use in accordance with the job type and the numberof discharged print sheets.

For example, the control unit 205 accepts a request from a user via theUI unit by a key operation to the key 701 in the display of FIG. 7 toexecute a stapling process by the saddle stitching device for a targetjob. The control unit 205 controls to convey sheets from the printerunit 203 to the stack tray. Before discharging print sheets to the stacktray, they are sequentially accumulated on the process tray in thesaddle stitcher for each job, and bound by a stapler on the process trayto discharge the print sheet bundle onto the stack tray. According tothis method, the control unit 205 causes the saddle stitching device tostaple sheets printed by the printer unit 203.

The saddle stitching device further comprises a Z-folding unit forfolding a sheet in three (Z shape), and a puncher for forming two (orthree) holes for filing. The saddle stitching device executes a processcorresponding to each job type. For example, when the user sets theZ-folding process via the operation unit as a setting associated with aprint sheet process for a job to be output, the control unit 205controls the Z-folding unit to fold print sheets of the job. Then, thecontrol unit 205 controls to make the print sheets pass through thedevice, and deliver them onto a discharge tray such as the stack tray orsample tray. For example, when the user sets the punching process viathe operation unit as a setting associated with a print sheet processfor a job to be output, the control unit 205 controls the puncher topunch print sheets of the job. Then, the control unit 205 controls tomake the print sheets pass through the device, and deliver them onto adischarge tray such as the stack tray or sample tray.

The saddle stitcher performs a saddle stitching process to bind printsheets at two center portions, pinch the print sheets at their center byrollers, fold them in half, and create a booklet like a pamphlet.

Print sheets bound by the saddle stitcher are discharged onto thebooklet tray. Whether a print sheet processing operation such as abookbinding process by the saddle stitcher is executable is also basedon print sheet process settings made by the user for a job to be output.

The inserter sends print sheets set on the inserter tray to a dischargetray such as the stack tray or sample tray without supplying the printsheets to the printer. The inserter can insert a print sheet set on theinserter between print sheets (sheets printed by the printer unit) sentinto the saddle stitcher. The user sets print sheets face up on theinserter tray of the inserter. The pickup roller sequentially feedsprint sheets from the top. A print sheet from the inserter is directlyconveyed to the stack tray or sample tray, and discharged facing down.To send a print sheet to the saddle stitcher, the print sheet is fed tothe puncher once, and then switched back and fed to adjust the faceorientation.

Whether a print sheet processing operation such as a print sheetinsertion process by the inserter is executable is also based on printsheet process settings made by the user for a job to be output.

In the embodiment, for example, the saddle stitching device alsoincorporates a cutter (trimmer), which will be described below.

A (saddle-stitched) booklet output from the saddle stitcher enters thetrimmer. At this time, the booklet output is fed by a predeterminedlength by the roller, and cut by a predetermined length by the cutter toalign uneven edges between pages of the booklet. The resultant bookletis stored in a booklet holding unit. Whether a print sheet processingoperation such as a trimming process by the trimmer is executable isalso based on print sheet process settings made by the user for a job tobe output.

As described above, the saddle stitching device comprises a saddlestitcher which executes a saddle stitching process for sheets of atarget job for which the user issues a saddle stitching processexecution request together with a print execution request via the UIunit.

For example, when a user selects saddle stitching with the key 705 inthe display of FIG. 7, the control unit 205 causes the UI unit toexecute a display in FIG. 14. The control unit 205 controls to acceptdetailed settings of saddle stitching via the display in FIG. 14. Forexample, the control unit 205 determines whether to actuallysaddle-stitch sheets near their center with staples. The control unit205 can also accept a setting such as division bookbinding, change ofthe saddle stitching position, execution/non-execution of trimming, orchange of the trimming width from the user.

Assume that the user sets “saddle-stitch” and “cut” via the display inFIG. 14 executed by the UI unit under the control of the control unit205. In this case, the control unit 205 controls the operation of thesystem 1000 to form a target job into a print style as shown in FIG. 15as the print result of saddle stitching. As represented by the printresult of saddle stitching in FIG. 15, saddle stitches are put, and theedge is trimmed. By setting the positions of the saddle stitch andtrimming edge in advance, they can be changed to desired positions.

When the user requests execution of a case binding process with the key707 in the display of FIG. 7, the control unit 205 controls the system1000 so as to form a target job into a print style as shown in FIG. 16as the print result of case binding. As represented by the example inFIG. 16, the trimming widths of trimming edges A, B, and C can be setfor a printed material subjected to case binding.

The printing system 1000 can accept a target job print execution requestand sheet process execution request even from an information processingdevice serving as an example of an external device. An example when ahost computer uses the printing system 1000 will be described.

For example, the system 1000 is controlled as follows when operated by ahost computer (e.g., the PC 103 or 104 in FIG. 1) which downloadsprogram data for various processes and control examples in theembodiment from a data supply source (e.g., a WEB) or a specific storagemedium. The control entity is the control unit of the PC.

Assume that an instruction to activate a printer driver for operatingthe printing device 100 of the system 1000 is issued in response to amouse or keyboard operation by a user. In response to the instruction,the CPU of the host computer displays a print setup window shown in FIG.17A on the display unit of the host computer. FIGS. 17A and 17B areviews showing examples of user interface windows controlled in theembodiment.

For example, the user presses a finishing key 1701 with the mouse on theoperation window of FIG. 17A or 17B. Then, the CPU of the host computercontrols the display unit to switch the print setup window to one asshown in FIG. 17B.

The CPU of the host computer allows the user to select a sheet processtype to be executed by the inline type sheet processing device 200 ofthe system 1000 via the sheet process setting item 1702 on the printsetup window of FIG. 17A or 17B.

Although not shown, the external device including the host computerdisplays, as windows other than those in FIGS. 17A and 17B, displaywindows capable of inputting instructions equivalent to those that canbe input via various display windows described in detail in theembodiment. In other words, the external device can execute the sameprocesses and control examples as those described in the embodiment.

The user selects a desired sheet process via the setting item 1702, andreturns to the window in FIG. 17A or 17B to press the OK key.

In response to this, the CPU of the host computer associates, as onejob, commands representing various printing conditions set by the uservia the print setup window with a series of data to be printed by theprinter unit 203, and transmits the job to the system 1000 via thenetwork 101.

After the external I/F unit 202 of the system 1000 receives the job fromthe computer, the control unit 205 of the system controls the system1000 to process the job from the host computer based on processcomponents set by the user on the host computer.

The above configuration can obtain various effects described in theembodiment even for a job from an external device or the like, and canfurther increase the use efficiency of the system 1000.

The control unit of the printing system 1000 according to the embodimentexecutes various control examples to be described below on the premiseof the above-described constituent features.

The configurations described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 17B correspondto constituent features common to all examples in the embodiment. Forexample, various control examples described in the embodiment correspondto constituent features based on these configurations.

As described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 17B, the printing system 1000according to the embodiment can construct a printing environmentsuitable not only for the office environment but also for the PODenvironment.

For example, the system 1000 employs a mechanism capable of coping withuse cases and user needs which are assumed to be not in the officeenvironment but in the POD environment.

For example, a POD company can receive orders of various print formsfrom customers in the POD environment.

More specifically, an inline sheet processing device can implementfinishing (e.g., a glue binding process or large-volume stackingprocess) which is not requested as a user need in the officeenvironment. In other words, the embodiment can deal with even userneeds other than needs (e.g., for stapling) in the office environment inconsideration of the POD environment. For example, the printing system1000 can flexibly cope with the business form of a POD company whichdoes business in the POD environment where the printing system 1000 isdelivered.

For example, a plurality of inline sheet processing devices areconnectable to the printing device 100, and each inline sheet processingdevice can independently operate as an independent housing, as describedabove. The number of connected sheet processing devices is arbitrary,and the printing system 1000 can flexibly add or change an inline sheetprocessing device.

The embodiment designs the printing system 1000 while paying attentionto the operability of the user of the printing system 1000. For example,the embodiment allows an operator to manually register the systemconfiguration of the printing system 1000 in the HD 209. Thisconfiguration will be exemplified.

For example, a POD company wants to build the system configuration shownin FIGS. 8A and 8B as the system configuration of the printing system1000. In this case, the operator of the POD company connects three sheetprocessing devices in FIGS. 8A and 8B purchased together with theprinting device 100 to the printing device in the connection order shownin FIGS. 8A and 8B. Then, the operator presses the user mode key 505 ofthe operation unit 204. In response to this key operation, the controlunit 205 causes the display unit 401 to execute a display in FIG. 18A.

The display in FIG. 18S allows the operator to manually input systemconfiguration information of the printing system 1000. The control unit205 allows the operator via displays in FIGS. 18A to 18D to determinethe types of inline type sheet processing devices to be connected to theprinting device 100. In addition, the control unit 205 allows theoperator via the displays in FIGS. 18A to 18D to determine theconnection order of inline type sheet processing devices to be connectedto the printing device 100.

If the operator presses an “advanced settings” key set for each settingitem in the display of FIG. 18A, the control unit 205 displays a window(not shown). This window enables specifying sheet processing devicesused in the printing system one by one. In the embodiment, since theprinting system follows the above-mentioned restrictions, the controlunit 205 also notifies the operator of this information as guidanceinformation. For example, the control unit 205 notifies the operator ofa guidance “please register the types of sheet processing devices to beconnected to the printing device, and their connection order. You canconnect a maximum of five devices. Please connect a saddle stitchingdevice as a last device”, as shown in FIG. 18A. In this case, themaximum number of connected inline sheet processing devices is five, butis not limited to this.

The control unit 205 controls the display unit 401 to determine sheetprocessing devices for use one by one from the top setting item in FIG.18A. The control unit 205 determines that the setting order itself fromthe top setting item is an actual device connection order.

In this configuration, when the printing system 1000 has the systemconfiguration shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, the control unit 205 prompts theoperator to register the types of sheet processing devices and theirconnection order, like the display in FIG. 18B. More specifically, thecontrol unit 205 prompts the operator to set “large-volume stacker

glue binding device

saddle stitching device” sequentially from the top setting item, likethe display in FIG. 18B. The control unit 205 determines that thissetting order is an actual connection order, as shown in FIGS. 8A and8B.

When the printing system 1000 has the system configuration shown inFIGS. 9A and 9B, the control unit 205 prompts the operator to registerthe types of sheet processing devices and their connection order, likethe display in FIG. 18C. More specifically, the control unit 205 promptsthe operator to set “glue binding device

large-volume stacker

saddle stitching device” sequentially from the top setting item, likethe display in FIG. 18C. The control unit 205 determines that thissetting order is an actual connection order, as shown in FIGS. 9A and9B.

When the printing system 1000 has the system configuration shown inFIGS. 10A and 10B, the control unit 205 prompts the operator to registerthe types of sheet processing devices and their connection order, likethe display in FIG. 18D. More specifically, the control unit 205 promptsthe operator to set “large-volume stacker

saddle stitching device” sequentially from the top setting item, likethe display in FIG. 18D. The control unit 205 determines that thissetting order is an actual connection order, as shown in FIGS. 10A and10B.

This UI control to improve user friendliness assuming cases of use onsite is also a feature of the embodiment.

As described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 18D, the system 1000 comprisesvarious mechanisms toward practical use of products capable of flexiblycoping with various cases of use and user needs in the POD environmentand the like that are different from cases of use and user needs in theoffice environment.

The printing system 1000 does not merely have new functions and newconfigurations as described above. To maximize the effects of theprinting system 1000, the system 1000 can execute various controlexamples as follows.

For example, the control unit of the printing system causes the printingsystem 1000 to execute the following control.

Before a description of the following concrete control, theconfiguration of the system 1000 will be complemented.

Each inline finisher according to the embodiment comprises anopenable/closable door in the front of the housing in order to removejammed print sheets or take out a printed material from each finisher.

For example, the large-volume stacker of the embodiment can deliversheets to the escape tray (to be also referred to as a sample tray), andthe stack tray (to be also simply referred to as a stacker unit) capableof stacking a large volume of printed materials, as illustrated in theinternal structure of FIG. 13. The large-volume stacker also has afunction of conveying sheets to a succeeding finisher via the throughpath in the large-volume stacker. The stack tray bearing sheets from theprinting device 100 can move down in accordance with the amount of sheetstacking of a printed material on the stack tray. The large-volumestacker can also align a printed material.

This configuration has been described with reference to FIG. 13. Thelarge-volume stacker comprises an openable/closable door 2002 in thefront of the large-volume stacker, as shown in an example of theschematic appearance of the large-volume stacker in FIG. 19. Thelarge-volume stacker also comprises a switch 2001 on the top of thehousing to allow an operator to input an instruction to open the door2002. The control unit (not shown) of the large-volume stacker mainlycontrols various operations in the large-volume stacker. The controlunit opens the door 2002 in accordance with an instruction manuallyinput by an operator from the switch 2001. More specifically, thecontrol unit locks the door 2002 with a key (not shown) while the door2002 is closed, and unlocks and opens the door 2002. Then, the operatorcan take out a printed material stacked on the stack tray of thelarge-volume stacker. The control unit can also automatically open thedoor 2002 not only by an operation from the switch 2001 but also by aninstruction from the control unit 205 of the printing device 100. Atthis time, the control unit 205 transmits a door opening signal to thecontrol unit of the large-volume stacker via a signal line in the deviceshown in FIG. 2. The operator takes out a printed material stacked onthe stack tray of the large-volume stacker by opening the door 2002.

In the embodiment, when the operator is to take out a printed materialof a printed job from the large-volume stacker, the control unit 205mainly controls the printing system 1000 so that no sheet of asucceeding job whose print execution request is issued after the printedjob is delivered to the stack tray of the large-volume stacker.

In other words, the printing system 1000 of the embodiment controls asheet processing unit in a sheet processing device not to deliver anysheet of a job succeeding to a printed job while the operator takes outthe printed material of the printed job from the sheet processingdevice.

However, the control unit 205 controls to execute, e.g., the followingoperation even while the operator takes out a printed material from thestack tray of the large-volume stacker. An example of the operation isto deliver sheets of a printed succeeding job to the escape tray at theupper portion of the large-volume stacker. Another example of theoperation is to convey, via the through path in the large-volumestacker, sheets of a succeeding job serving as a job requiring a sheetprocess by a sheet processing device connected on the output side of thelarge-volume stacker.

In other words, these operations correspond to an operation permitted tobe executed even while the door 2002 is open. This operation is atypical example of the continuous-run operation in the embodiment.According to the embodiment, the control unit 205 controls the printingsystem 1000 to execute various operations (to be described below)associated with the continuous-run operation in the embodiment. Theembodiment can obtain the following effects by configuring the printingsystem 1000 to execute control associated with the continuous-runoperation.

For example, the embodiment can deal with problems as described inDescription of the Related Art. The embodiment can build a convenientprinting environment applicable not only to the office environment butalso to the POD environment. The embodiment can build a printingenvironment which can attain not only the following effect A, but alsoboth effects A and B without any new trouble such as a failure inattaining the following effect B owing to attaining effect A.

(Effect A) Assume that the movable unit of a sheet processing device foruse in the printing system 1000 is open because it is under maintenanceor the operator takes out a printed material. Even in this case, thesystem 1000 can execute the print process of a job not influenced bythis situation. Effect A is to provide a printing environment capable ofmaintaining productivity as high as possible in consideration of futurecases of use and needs in the POD environment.

(Effect B) It is difficult to satisfactorily create a printed materialto be delivered to a customer even by a printing system configured toobtain effect A because, for example, the operator does not notice thatthe movable unit of a sheet processing device is open. This inhibits thesystem from maintaining high productivity. Even the configurationcapable of obtaining effect A causes unexpected troubles as describedabove. Effect B is to suppress such troubles as much as possible.

The embodiment can build a printing environment where the system 1000can run as continuously as possible by the continuous-run operationdisclosed in the embodiment, and maintain both high productivity andhigh operability. The embodiment can provide a printing system, jobprocessing method, storage medium, program, and printing device capableof achieving various effects as described above. The embodiment cancontribute to practical use of products aiming at the future printingenvironment such as the POD environment so as to cope with various needsfrom various users as flexibly as possible in consideration of varioussituations and use environments.

The printing system 1000 controlled by the control unit 205 isconfigured as follows.

The system 1000 can supply sheets (print media) of a job printed by theprinter unit 203 selectively to a plurality of inline finishers from theprinter unit 203 of the printing device 100. The printer unit 203 canprint data in the HD 209 capable of storing data of jobs. As a pluralityof inline finishers, various inline finishers are available in theembodiment. For example, the printing system 1000 can utilize even aninline finisher having an opening/closing unit which isopenable/closable in synchronism with operation by an operator. Atypical example of this inline finisher is the large-volume stackershown in FIG. 19. The large-volume stacker is a post-processing devicehaving a front cover (to be also referred to as a front door) to beopened/closed by the operator. The post-processing device to bedescribed below means an inline finisher described above in theembodiment.

According to the embodiment, the control unit 205 confirms the statusesof a plurality of types of movable units which include anopening/closing unit such as the front door of the large-volume stackerand can respond to operation by an operator in sheet takeout work or thelike. The movable unit which is disclosed in the embodiment and canrespond to a manual operation by the operator may also be called a“movable member”, “movable part”, “movable component”, or the like. Theterm “movable unit” is not definitive, but a typical example of themovable unit desirably includes at least an opening/closing unit(opening/closing member) such as a cover unit.

Referring back to the description of the control example, the controlunit 205 discriminatively confirms the status of each movable unitrepresenting whether the movable unit disclosed in the embodiment suchas the front cover or upper cover of each inline finisher is open (openstatus) or closed (closed status). In the confirmation, the control unit205 automatically collects current status information (e.g., informationfor specifying whether the opening/closing unit is open or closed)representing the status of the movable unit from each unit via aninternal signal line.

The control unit 205 executes control associated with a job to beprocessed based on the status of each movable unit in the system 1000and the process conditions of the job. Particularly in the embodiment,the control unit 205 determines, based on these pieces of information,whether to permit or inhibit execution of the process of the job by thesystem 1000 while the movable unit is open in the system 1000.

In the embodiment, assume that the control unit 205 confirms that amovable unit unrelated to (not influenced by) the completion of theprocess of a target job whose print execution request is issued is open.In this case, even while the movable unit remains open, the control unit205 causes the printing device 100 to start the print process of thejob. Further, the control unit 205 causes an inline finisher necessaryfor the sheet process of the job to execute a finishing process forsheets of the job while the movable unit is open.

The control unit 205 executes this control for the system 1000. Theseries of operations is also a typical example of the continuous-runoperation in the embodiment.

According to the embodiment, the control unit 205 determines whethereach movable unit of each inline finisher for use in the system 1000,such as various opening/closing units including front and upper covers,remains open.

The control unit 205 can accept the execution request of a new job to beprocessed by the printing device 100 even while the movable unit of oneof inline finishers available in the system 1000 is open.

When newly accepting a job, the control unit 205 determines whether thejob requires a by an inline finisher whose movable unit remains open.

Assume that the newly accepted job is a job (to be referred to as job Xhereinafter) requiring no post-process (sheet process) by the inlinefinisher whose movable unit remains open. This means that job X is a“job requiring no discharge of a printed material to the dischargedestination of an inline finisher whose movable unit is open”. When thecontrol unit 205 makes a determination corresponding to this case (to bereferred to as case X hereinafter), it permits the printing device 100to start the print process of the job even while the movable unit iscurrently open in the system 1000.

In case X, the control unit 205 supplies sheets of job X printed by theprinter unit 203 to an inline finisher.

In case X, assume that the system is configured by connecting aplurality of inline finishers to the printing device 100 and the movableunit of an upstream inline finisher among them is open. Also, assumethat job X, for which the start of printing is permitted, requires apost-process by a succeeding inline finisher downstream of the upstreaminline finisher. In this case, sheets of job X are suppliable into thesucceeding inline finisher via the sheet feeding path in the precedinginline finisher even while the movable unit of the preceding inlinefinisher remains open. The control unit 205 also executes this controlfor the system 1000.

Assume that the job newly accepted while the movable unit is open is ajob (to be referred to as job Y hereinafter) requiring a post-process(synonymous with a sheet process) by the inline finisher whose movableunit remains open. This means that job Y is a “job requiring dischargeof a printed material to the discharge destination of an inline finisherwhose movable unit is open”. When the control unit 205 makes adetermination corresponding to this case (to be referred to as case Yhereinafter), it inhibits the printing device 100 from starting theprint process of job Y while the movable unit is open in the system1000.

In case Y, the control unit 205 permits the printing device 100 to startthe print process of job Y on the condition that both the following twoconditions A and B are satisfied.

(Condition A) The control unit 205 causes the UI unit of the embodimentto notify the operator of guidance information to prompt him to closethe currently open movable unit of an inline finisher which is toexecute a post-process necessary for job Y. The control unit 205controls to notify the operator via the UI unit of information on anecessary action to be taken by him to complete the process of job Y.

(Condition B) The control unit 205 confirms that the movable unit of theinline finisher which is to execute the post-process necessary for job Yis closed. This means that the control unit 205 confirms that the statusof the movable unit changes from the open status to the closed one.

When both conditions A and B are satisfied, the control unit 205 permitsthe printing device 100 to start the print process of Y. This is also afeature of the embodiment. It should be noted that the control unit 205also executes the following control.

For example, the control unit 205 accepts the print execution request ofa target job (to be referred to as job Z hereinafter) from the operatorwith the start key 503. Assume that the movable unit of an inlinefinisher necessary for the post-process of job Z is open at this time.That is, the movable unit of an inline finisher having a deliverydestination necessary for job Z is open.

In this example, the inline finisher necessary for the sheet process ofjob Z is the large-volume stacker which is the inline finisher 200a inFIG. 8A. The front cover serving as an example of the movable unit ofthe large-volume stacker is currently open.

In the embodiment, the operator can input the print process conditionsof a job to be processed via the operation unit 204 before inputting aprint execution request with the start key 503. The control unit 205reads out, from the memory, print process condition data of job Z set bythe operator before an input from the key 503, and confirms the data. Bythis confirmation, the control unit 205 specifies that job Z requires asheet process by the large-volume stacker in FIG. 8A.

The control unit 205 utilizes various types of sensor informationtransmitted via a signal line in the system 1000 shown in FIG. 2 whendetermining whether each movable unit in the system 1000 is in the openor closed status, or determining whether the status of the movable unithas changed.

Referring back to the description of the concrete example, not only themovable unit of the large-volume stacker in FIG. 8A is open, but alsothat of another inline finisher in the system 1000 in FIG. 8A iscurrently open. In this example, the front cover of the saddle stitchingdevice which is the inline finisher 200c in FIG. 8A is open.

As described above, the two movable units (in this example, the frontcovers of the large-volume stacker and saddle stitching device in thesystem 1000 in FIG. 8A) are open as the status of the system 1000 whenthe print execution request of job Z is input. In this case (to bereferred to as case Z hereinafter), the control unit 205 executes thefollowing control as control of the continuous-run operation associatedwith job Z.

In case Z, the control unit 205 inhibits the printer unit 203 fromstarting the print process of job Z even if the operator inputs theprint execution request of job Z with the start key 503.

Upon reception of the print execution request, the control unit 205causes the UI unit of the embodiment to display guidance information toprompt the operator to close the front cover of the large-volume stackerin FIG. 8A, as information on job Z whose printing is inhibited. Forexample, the control unit 205 causes the display unit 401 of theoperation unit 204 to display a display window (e.g., a popup window ofa window 2404 in FIG. 24-6) with guidance information to close the frontcover of the large-volume stacker.

These control operations executed by the control unit 205 in case Z arebased on the fact that the movable unit of the large-volume stackerhaving a delivery destination serving as the printed material deliverydestination of job Z is in the open status.

Even if the control unit 205 inhibits the printing device 100 fromexecuting the print process of job Z, it permits the printing device 100to store all the pages of print data of job Z in the HD 209.

For example, the control unit 205 allows for execution of the documentscan operation of job Z by the scanner unit 201 and the storageoperation of the scanned image data in the HD 209.

This yields an effect capable of, e.g., shortening the time requireduntil the end of printing after the start of printing a target job.

Referring back to the description of the concrete example, assume thatthe operator, who has confirmed the display contents after the guidanceinformation of job Z is displayed, closes the front cover of thelarge-volume stacker in FIG. 8A. That is, the status of the front coverchanges from the open status to the closed one. The control unit 205confirms the status change, and then causes the printer unit 203 tostart the print process of job Z.

The control unit 205 supplies the printed material of job Z printed bythe printer unit 203 into the large-volume stacker in FIG. 8A, andstacks it on the internal tray of the large-volume stacker in FIG. 8A,completing the process of job Z.

In case Z, the control unit 205 executes the above control for job Z.This control is an example of control “to inhibit the printer unit 203from executing the print process of job Z without notifying the operatorof guidance information (popup display of the window 2404 in thisexample) to close the front cover of the large-volume stacker in FIG.8A”.

In case Z, assume that the status of the front cover of the large-volumestacker in FIG. 8A changes from the open status to the closed one afterdisplaying the guidance, but the front cover of the saddle stitchingdevice in FIG. 8A is still in the open status.

In this case, even while the front cover of the saddle stitching deviceremains open, the control unit 205 permits the printing device 100 toexecute the print process of job Z in response to the status change ofthe front cover of the large-volume stacker.

Also in this case, the control unit 205 allows the printing device 100to execute the print process of job Z without notifying the operator ofguidance information to prompt him to close the front cover of thesaddle stitching device before executing the print process of job Z.

For example, the control unit 205 controls the system 1000 to executethe print process of job Z requiring the delivery destination of thelarge-volume stacker without displaying a popup window in a window 2403to prompt the operator to close the front cover of the saddle stitchingdevice.

These control operations pay the following points in the embodiment.

For example, in case Z, the large-volume stacker in FIG. 8A is an inlinefinisher necessary for the post-process of job Z, whereas the saddlestitching device in FIG. 8A is not an inline finisher necessary for thepost-process of job Z. That is, in case Z, the large-volume stacker inFIG. 8A is an inline finisher at the delivery destination whichcoincides with the delivery destination of job Z, and the saddlestitching device in FIG. 8A is not an inline finisher at the deliverydestination which coincides with the delivery destination of job Z.

Thus, before printing job Z, the control unit 205 executes thenotification process to prompt the operator to close the movable unit ofthe large-volume stacker which influences the process of job Z. Thecontrol unit 205 permits printing of job Z without executing, beforeprinting job Z, the notification process to prompt the operator to closethe movable unit of the saddle stitching device which does not influencethe process of job Z.

According to this embodiment, the control unit 205 controls the system1000 to enable the start of the print process of a target job afternotifying the operator via the UI unit of guidance information on amovable unit which influences the process of the job. The control unit205 controls the system to enable the start of the print process of thejob without notifying the operator via the UI unit of guidanceinformation on a movable unit which does not influence the process ofthe job even while the movable unit is open.

The control unit 205 also executes display control synchronized withselective job control. While suppressing any trouble such as thefollowing concerns (1) to (3), the effects described in the embodimentcan be obtained, fully exploiting the system 1000. The effects achievedby the embodiment can be further enhanced.

(1) For example, when a movable unit which does not influence theprocess of a target job is open, the operator is notified against hisinstruction of guidance information to prompt him to close the movableunit.

(2) This notification requests unnecessary processes of the operator,making it difficult to maintain high operability.

(3) The system 1000 can run as continuously as possible by printing atarget job even while a movable unit which does not influence theprocess of the job is open. However, (1) and (2) make it difficult tomaintain high productivity.

These points are also a typical example of features of the embodiment.

The control unit 205 causes the UI unit of the embodiment to notify theoperator of guidance information when he requests the notification ofguidance information to prompt him to close a movable unit which doesnot influence a target process.

For example, in case Z, the control unit 205 validates the “systemstatus/stop” key 617 on the display unit 401 at any timing before thestart of printing job Z, during printing it, and after the start ofprinting it. At any timing, in response to an operator input from thekey 617, the control unit 205 allows the display unit 401 to displayguidance information to prompt the operator to close the front cover ofthe saddle stitching device which does not influence the process of jobZ.

This configuration can present in real time, for example, how to closethe movable unit of an inline finisher which does not influence theprocess of a target job, if the operator so desires. This configurationcan further improve operability in addition to the above-describedeffects.

In the embodiment, pieces of notification information displayed asinformation on a movable unit on the display unit 401 of the operationunit 204 which serves as an example of the UI unit of the embodiment andalso functions as a notification unit are roughly classified into thefollowing four types:

(1) status information which can notify the operator that a movable unitwhich influences the process of a target job is open,

(2) status information which can notify the operator that a movable unitwhich does not influence the process of a target job is open,

(3) guidance information to prompt the operator to close a movable unitwhich influences the process of a target job, and

(4) guidance information to prompt the operator to close a movable unitwhich does not influence the process of a target job.

In the embodiment, the control unit 205 controls to display notificationinformation (1) and notification information (2) among (1) to (4) on thestatus line at the bottom of the display area of the display unit 401.These pieces of information are available as status information of thesystem 1000.

The control unit 205 controls the display unit 401 to automaticallydisplay both information (1) and information (2) on the status line inresponse to a change of the status of a movable unit from the closedstatus to the open one without inputting any explicit displayinstruction from the operator.

The control unit 205 controls to keep status information of the openmovable unit displayed on the status line until the status changes fromthe open status to the closed one.

For example, the control unit 205 allows the display unit 401 to displayany of the following windows (A), (B), and (C) even while keeping statusinformation displayed on the status line to represent that a movableunit which does not influence the process of a target job is open. Aconcrete example of this control will be described later.

(A) A window for setting the print process conditions of a target job.

(B) A window for accepting the print execution request of a target job.

(C) A window representing progress information during the print processof a target job.

One window may simultaneously display pieces of status information onopen movable units. When the status line displays status informationrepresenting the open status of a movable unit, the control unit 205inhibits simultaneous display of pieces of status information, andswitches and displays them sequentially in the priority order.

In the embodiment, notification information (3) and notificationinformation (4) among (1) to (4) are available as guidance informationto prompt an operator to take a necessary action.

The control unit 205 controls the display unit 401 to display popupnotification information (3) as job information associated with a job tobe processed. The control unit 205 also controls the display unit 401 todisplay notification information (3) without inputting any explicitdisplay instruction from the operator.

The control unit 205 controls the display unit 401 to automaticallydisplay popup notification information (3) in response to a change ofthe status of a movable unit which influences the process of a targetjob, from the closed status to the open one. The control unit 205controls the display unit 401 to display information (3) even when theoperator inputs an explicit instruction from the operation unit 204.

The control unit 205 controls the display unit 401 to displaynotification information (4) when the operator inputs an explicitinstruction from the operation unit 204. The control unit 205 controlsthe display unit 401 not to automatically display notificationinformation (4) prior to the start of the print process of a target job.

The embodiment employs a display process by a unit having theabove-described display function, as a method of notifying the operatorof various types of notification information, which include theabove-described pieces of notification information and are disclosed inthe embodiment. However, the present invention is not limited to thisdisplay process. For example, a unit having an audio output function mayoutput, by sound, various types of notification information disclosed inthe embodiment. Alternatively, a unit having the printer function suchas the printer unit 203 may print out various types of notificationinformation disclosed in the embodiment. In this fashion, the presentinvention can adopt any configuration as long as the system 1000 cantransmit notification information disclosed in the embodiment to a user(e.g., an operator who operates the system 1000). This is an example ofthe mechanism which can further enhance the effects disclosed in theembodiment, and is not always indispensable.

Referring back to the description of the control example, the controlexamples described with jobs X, Y, and Z are typical examples ofselective job process control and display control associated with onejob in the continuous-run operation. Another control example of thecontrol associated with the continuous-run operation in the embodimentwill be explained with reference to the system 1000 having the systemconfiguration in FIG. 8B. The following control example is associatedwith a plurality of jobs in the continuous-run operation.

Assume that the control unit 205 confirms that the system 1000 has thesystem configuration in FIG. 8B. Also, assume that the control unit 205confirms that the door 2002 of the stacker in FIG. 8B is currently openin accordance with an opening request from the operator via the switch2001 in order to take out the printed material of a stacker job (to bereferred to as a stacker job 8A hereinafter) stacked on the stack trayof the large-volume stacker in FIG. 8B. In the case (to be referred toas case 8A hereinafter) in which the control unit 205 makes these twoconfirmations, the control unit 205 searches the HD 209 for a jobsucceeding to the stacker job 8A.

In case 8A, assume that the control unit 205 confirms that there is asucceeding job whose print execution request is accepted after the job8A. Also, assume that the control unit 205 confirms that the succeedingjob (to be referred to as a job 8B hereinafter) requires a sheet processby the large-volume stacker in FIG. 8B. In this case (to be referred ascase 8B hereinafter), the control unit 205 inhibits the printing device100 from starting the print process of the job 8B while the door 2002 ofthe large-volume stacker in FIG. 8B is open. Also in case 8B, thecontrol unit 205 controls the printing device 100 so that the job 8Bkeeps waiting for printing.

In case 8B, the door 2002 of the large-volume stacker in FIG. 8B is openwhen the operator inputs the print execution request of the job 8B fromthe UI unit (e.g., when he presses the start key 503). The job 8Brequires discharge of a printed material to the delivery destination ofthe large-volume stacker in FIG. 8B.

In case 8B, the control unit 205 inhibits the print process of the job8B even upon reception of a print execution request, as described above.At the same time, the control unit 205 causes the display unit 401 toautomatically display guidance information to close the door 2002 of thelarge-volume stacker in FIG. 8B.

That is, in case 8B, the control unit 205 inhibits the printing device100 from starting the print process of the job 8B without notifying theoperator via the operation unit 204 of guidance information to close thedoor 2002 of the large-volume stacker in FIG. 8B. In case 8B, thecontrol unit 205 permits the printing device 100 to execute the printprocess of the job 8B on the condition that the operator closes the door2002 after the notification of the guidance information (i.e., thestatus of the door 2002 changes from the open status to the closed one).In case 8B, the control unit 205 causes the printing system 1000 toexecute this control for the job 8B.

In case 8A, assume that the control unit 205 confirms that there is asucceeding job whose print execution request is accepted after the jobBA. Also, assume that the control unit 205 confirms that the succeedingjob (to be referred to as a job 8C hereinafter) requires a gluingprocess by the glue binding device in FIG. 8B corresponding to an inlinefinisher positioned on the output side (downstream side) of thelarge-volume stacker in FIG. 8B. In this case (to be referred to as case8C hereinafter), the control unit 205 permits the printing device 100 tostart the print process of the job 8C while the door 2002 of thelarge-volume stacker in FIG. 8B is open.

For example, in case 8C, the control unit 205 reads out print data ofthe job 8C from the HD 209 and causes the printer unit 203 to printwhile keeping the door 2002 of the stacker in FIG. 8E open. Also in case8C, the control unit 205 makes sheets, on which the printer unit 203prints the print data of the job 8C, pass through a feeding path ofpoint A in FIG. 8B the through path in the large-volume stacker in FIG.8B point B in FIG. 8B while keeping the door 2002 of the stacker in FIG.8B open. By this method, the control unit 205 causes the system 1000 tosupply sheets of the job 8C from the printing device 100 into the gluebinding device in FIG. 8B while the door 2002 of the large-volumestacker in FIG. 8B is open. In case 8C, the control unit 205 causes theglue binding device in FIG. 8B to execute a glue binding process forsheets (print media) of the job 8C supplied from the printing device 100while keeping the door 2002 of the stacker in FIG. 88B open. In thismanner, the control unit 205 completes the process of the job 8C in thesystem 1000 while keeping the door 2002 of the stacker in FIG. 8B open.

Also in case 8C, the door 2002 of the large-volume stacker in FIG. 8B isopen when the operator inputs the print execution request of the job 8Cfrom the UI unit (e.g., when he presses the start key 503). The job 8Cdoes not require discharge of a printed material to the deliverydestination of the large-volume stacker in FIG. 8B.

In case 8C, the control unit 205 inhibits the display unit 401 fromautomatically displaying guidance information to prompt the operator toclose the door 2002 of the large-volume stacker in FIG. 8B when heinputs the print execution request of the job 8C from the UI unit.Further in case 8C, the control unit 205 permits the printing device 100to start the print process of the job 8C even while the door 2002remains open.

That is, in case 8C, the control unit 205 permits the printing device100 to start the print process of the job 8C without automaticallynotifying the operator via the operation unit 204 of guidanceinformation to prompt him to close the door 2002 of the large-volumestacker in FIG. 8B.

In case 8C, the control unit 205 causes the printing system 1000 toexecute this control for the job 8C.

In case 8A, assume that the control unit 205 confirms that there is asucceeding job whose print execution request is accepted after the job8A. Also, assume that the control unit 205 confirms that the succeedingjob (to be referred to as a job 8D hereinafter) requires a sheet processby the saddle stitching device in FIG. 8B corresponding to an inlinefinisher positioned on the output side of the glue binding device inFIG. 8B. In this case (to be referred to as case 8D hereinafter), thecontrol unit 205 permits the printing device 100 to start the printprocess of the job 8D while the door 2002 of the large-volume stacker inFIG. 8B is open.

For example, in case 8D, the control unit 205 reads out print data ofthe job ED from the HD 209 and causes the printer unit 203 to printwhile keeping the door 2002 of the stacker in FIG. 8B open. Also in case8D, the control unit 205 makes sheets on which the printer unit 203prints the print data of the job 8D, pass through a feeding path ofpoint A in FIG. 8B

the through path in the large-volume stacker in FIG. 8B

point B in FIG. 8B

point C in FIG. 8B while keeping the door 2002 of the stacker in FIG. 8Bopen. By this method, the control unit 205 causes the system 1000 tosupply sheets of the job 8D from the printing device 100 into the saddlestitching device in FIG. 8B while the door 2002 of the large-volumestacker in FIG. 8B is open. In case 8D, the control unit 205 causes thesaddle stitching device in FIG. 8B to execute a sheet process for sheets(print media) of the job 8D supplied from the printing device 100 whilekeeping the door 2002 of the stacker in FIG. 8B open. As a result, thecontrol unit 205 completes the process of the job 8D in the system 1000while keeping the door 2002 of the stacker in FIG. 8B open.

Also in case 8D, the door 2002 of the large-volume stacker in FIG. 8B isopen when the operator inputs the print execution request of the job 8Dfrom the UI unit (e.g., when he presses the start key 503). Similar tothe job 8C, the job 8D does not require discharge of a printed materialto the delivery destination of the large-volume stacker in FIG. 8B.

Also in case 8D, the control unit 205 inhibits the operation unit 204from automatically displaying guidance information to close the door2002 of the large-volume stacker in FIG. 8B when the operator inputs theprint execution request of the job 8D from the UI unit. Further in case8D, the control unit 205 permits the printing device 100 to start theprint process of the job 8D even while the door 2002 remains open.

That is, also in case 8D, the control unit 205 permits the printingdevice 100 to start the print process of the job 8D withoutautomatically notifying the operator via the operation unit 204 ofguidance information to prompt him to close the door 2002 of thelarge-volume stacker in FIG. 8B.

In case 8D, the control unit 205 causes the printing system 1000 toexecute this control for the job 8D.

According to the embodiment, the control unit 205 executes selective jobcontrol based on the process conditions of a job to be processed andstatus information of the movable unit of the system 1000, like theabove-described three control examples in cases 8B, 8C, and 8D. Insynchronism with the job control, the control unit 205 also selectivelyexecutes display control based on the process conditions of the job tobe processed and status information of the movable unit.

Still another control example of the control associated with a pluralityof jobs in the continuous-run operation in the embodiment will beexplained below.

Assume that the control unit 205 confirms that the system 1000 has thesystem configuration in FIG. 9B. Also, assume that the control unit 205confirms that the door 2002 of the stacker in FIG. 9B is currently openin accordance with an opening request from the operator via the switch2001 in order to take out the printed material of a stacker job (to bereferred to as a stacker job 9A hereinafter) stacked on the stack trayof the large-volume stacker in FIG. 9B. In the case (to be referred toas case 9A hereinafter) in which the control unit 205 makes these twoconfirmations, the control unit 205 searches the HD 209 for a jobsucceeding to the stacker job 9A.

In case 9A, assume that the control unit 205 confirms that there is asucceeding job whose print execution request is accepted after the job9A. Also, assume that the control unit 205 confirms that the succeedingjob (to be referred to as a job 9B hereinafter) requires a sheet processby the large-volume stacker in FIG. 9B. In this case (to be referred ascase 9B hereinafter), the control unit 205 inhibits the printing device100 from starting the print process of the job 9B while the door 2002 ofthe large-volume stacker in FIG. 9B is open. Also in case 9B, thecontrol unit 205 controls the printing device 100 so that the job 9Bkeeps waiting for printing.

In case 9B, the door 2002 of the large-volume stacker in FIG. 9B is openwhen the operator inputs the print execution request of the job 9B fromthe UI unit (e.g., when he presses the start key 503). The job 9Brequires discharge of a printed material to the delivery destination ofthe large-volume stacker in FIG. 9B.

In case 9B, the control unit 205 inhibits the print process of the job9B even upon reception of a print execution request, as described above.At the same time, the control unit 205 causes the display unit 401 toautomatically display guidance information to prompt the operator toclose the door 2002 of the large-volume stacker in FIG. 9B.

That is, in case 9B, the control unit 205 inhibits the printing device100 from starting the print process of the job 9B without automaticallynotifying the operator via the operation unit 204 of guidanceinformation to prompt him to close the door 2002.

In case 9B, the control unit 205 permits the printing device 100 toexecute the print process of the job 9B on the condition that theoperator closes the door 2002 after the notification of the information(i.e., the status of the large-volume stacker in FIG. 9B changes fromthe open status to the closed one).

In case 9B, the control unit 205 causes the printing system 1000 toexecute this control for the job 9B.

In case 9A, assume that the control unit 205 confirms that there is asucceeding job whose print execution request is accepted after the job9A. Also, assume that the control unit 205 confirms that the succeedingjob (to be referred to as a job 9C hereinafter) requires a gluingprocess by the glue binding device in FIG. 9B corresponding to an inlinefinisher positioned on the input side (upstream side) of thelarge-volume stacker in FIG. 9B. In this case (to be referred to as case9C hereinafter), the control unit 205 permits the printing device 100 tostart the print process of the job 9C while the door 2002 of thelarge-volume stacker in FIG. 9B is open.

For example, in case 9C, the control unit 205 reads out print data ofthe job 9C from the HD 209 and causes the printer unit 203 to printwhile keeping the door 2002 of the stacker in FIG. 9B open. Also in case9C, the control unit 205 makes sheets, on which the printer unit 203prints the print data of the job 9C, pass through point A in FIG. 9Bwhile keeping the door 2002 of the stacker in FIG. 9B open. By thismethod, the control unit 205 causes the system 1000 to supply sheets ofthe job 9C from the printing device 100 into the glue binding device inFIG. 9B while the door 2002 of the large-volume stacker in FIG. 9B isopen.

In case 9C, the control unit 205 causes the glue binding device in FIG.9B to execute a glue binding process for sheets (print media) of the job9C supplied from the printing device 100 while keeping the door 2002 ofthe stacker in FIG. 9B open. In this manner, the control unit 205completes the process of the job 9C in the system 1000 while keeping thedoor 2002 of the stacker in FIG. 9B open.

Also in case 9C, the door 2002 of the large-volume stacker in FIG. 9B isopen when the operator inputs the print execution request of the job 9Cfrom the UI unit (e.g., when he presses the start key 503). The job 9Cdoes not require discharge of a printed material to the deliverydestination of the large-volume stacker in FIG. 9B.

In case 9C, the control unit 205 inhibits the display unit 401 fromautomatically displaying guidance information to prompt the operator toclose the door 2002 of the large-volume stacker in FIG. 9B when heinputs the print execution request of the job 9C from the UI unit.Further in case 9C, the control unit 205 permits the printing device 100to start the print process of the job 9C even while the door 2002remains open.

That is, in case 9C, the control unit 205 permits the printing device100 to start the print process of the job 9C without automaticallynotifying the operator via the operation unit 204 of guidanceinformation to prompt him to close the door 2002 of the large-volumestacker in FIG. 9B.

In case 9C, the control unit 205 causes the printing system 1000 toexecute this control for the job 9C.

In case 9A, assume that the control unit 205 confirms that there is asucceeding job whose print execution request is accepted after the job9A. Also, assume that the control unit 205 confirms that the succeedingjob (to be referred to as a job 9D hereinafter) requires a sheet processby the saddle stitching device in FIG. 9B corresponding to an inlinefinisher positioned on the output side of the large-volume stacker inFIG. 9B. In this case (to be referred to as case 9D hereinafter), thecontrol unit 205 permits the printing device 100 to start the printprocess of the job 9D while the door 2002 of the large-volume stacker inFIG. 9B is open.

For example, in case 9D, the control unit 205 reads out print data ofthe job 9D from the HD 209 and causes the printer unit 203 to printwhile keeping the door 2002 of the stacker in FIG. 98 open. Also in case9D, the control unit 205 makes sheets on which the printer unit 203prints the print data of the job 9D, pass through a feeding path ofpoint A in FIG. 9B

point B in FIG. 9B

the through path in the large-volume stacker in FIG. 9B

point C in FIG. 9B while keeping the door 2002 of the stacker in FIG. 9Bopen. By this method, the control unit 205 causes the system 1000 tosupply sheets of the job 9D from the printing device 100 into the saddlestitching device in FIG. 9B while the door 2002 of the large-volumestacker in FIG. 9B is open. In case 9D, the control unit 205 causes thesaddle stitching device in FIG. 9B to execute a sheet process (e.g.,saddle stitching process) for sheets (print media) of the job 9Dsupplied from the printing device 100 while keeping the door 2002 of thestacker in FIG. 9B open. As a result, the control unit 205 completes theprocess of the job 9D in the system 1000 while keeping the door 2002 ofthe stacker in FIG. 9B open.

Also in case 9D, the door 2002 of the large-volume stacker in FIG. 9B isopen when the operator inputs the print execution request of the job 9Dfrom the UI unit (e.g., when he presses the start key 503). Similar tothe job 9C, the job 9D does not require discharge of a printed materialto the delivery destination of the large-volume stacker in FIG. 9B.

Also in case 9D, the control unit 205 inhibits the display unit 401 fromautomatically displaying guidance information to close the door 2002 ofthe large-volume stacker in FIG. 9B when the operator inputs the printexecution request of the job 9D from the UI unit. Further in case 9D,the control unit 205 permits the printing device 100 to start the printprocess of the job 9D even while the door 2002 remains open.

That is, also in case 9D, the control unit 205 permits the printingdevice 100 to start the print process of the job 9D withoutautomatically notifying the operator via the operation unit 204 ofguidance information to prompt him to close the door 2002 of thelarge-volume stacker in FIG. 9B.

In case 9D, the control unit 205 causes the printing system 1000 toexecute this control for the job 9D.

Various job control operations and display control operationsillustrated with reference to cases 8A to 9D are also typical examplesof control in the continuous-run operation. This means one typicalexample in a configuration capable of executing the following controlfor the system 1000.

Assume that the printing device 100 accepts the print execution requestof the first job requiring a sheet process by a sheet processing device(to be referred to as the first sheet processing device) requiring theopening operation of the movable unit when the operator takes outsheets. Then, assume that the printing device 100 accepts the printexecution request of the second job as a succeeding job after performingthe print process of the first job.

Assume that the second job accepted after the first job requires a sheetprocess by the first sheet processing device used for the sheet processof the first job. Also, assume that the movable unit of the first sheetprocessing device is in the open status. This case will be called thefirst case.

If the control unit 205 makes a determination corresponding to the firstcase, it inhibits the printing device 100 from executing the printprocess of the second job while the movable unit of the first sheetprocessing device remains open. In the first case, when receiving theprint execution request of the second job, the control unit 205 causesthe UI unit to automatically notify the operator of guidance informationto prompt the operator to close the movable unit of the first sheetprocessing device. That is, even if the control unit 205 receives theprint execution request of the second job in the first case, it inhibitsthe printing device 100 from executing the print process of the secondjob without automatically notifying the operator via the operation unit204 of the guidance information.

In the embodiment, the control unit 205 executes this control in thefirst case.

To the contrary, assume that the second j ob does not require a sheetprocess by the first sheet processing device used for the sheet processof the first job. Also, assume that the movable unit of the first sheetprocessing device is in the open status. This case will be called thesecond case.

If the control unit 205 makes a determination corresponding to thesecond case, it permits the printing device 100 to execute the printprocess of the second job while the movable unit of the first sheetprocessing device remains open. In the second case, when receiving theprint execution request of the second job, the control unit 205 inhibitsthe UI unit from automatically notifying the operator of guidanceinformation to prompt him to close the movable unit of the first sheetprocessing device. That is, in response to receiving the print executionrequest of the second job in the second case, the control unit 205permits the printing device 100 to execute the print process of thesecond job without automatically notifying the operator via the UI unitof the guidance information.

In the embodiment, the control unit 205 executes this control in thesecond case.

In the second case, the control unit 205 controls to convey all thesheets of the second printed job into a sheet processing device (to bereferred to as the second sheet processing device hereinafter) used forthe sheet process of the second job even while the movable unit of thefirst sheet processing device remains open. The control unit 205 causesthe second sheet processing device to execute a sheet process necessaryfor the second job for a bundle of sheets of the second job whilekeeping the movable unit open.

In the embodiment, the control unit 205 executes the control in thissituation for the system 1000.

The mechanism of increasing productivity and operability as much aspossible in the printing system 1000, like the control examplesdisclosed in cases 8A to 9D and the first and second cases, is a controlexample of the continuous-run operation disclosed in the embodiment.

As is apparent from a comparison between the control examples usingFIGS. 8B and 9B, job control executed by the control unit 205 changeseven in control associated with the continuous-run operation every timethe system configuration of the system 1000 changes. Also in thiscontrol, the control unit 205 utilizes system configuration informationdescribed at the beginning, status information of each inline finisher,and print process condition information of each job whose printexecution request is accepted by the printing device 100. Variouscontrol examples to be described below are also control associated withthe continuous-run operation.

It should be noted that sheet processes (synonymous with post-processes)described in the embodiment mean various post-processes (sorting,stapling, trimming, sheet delivery, saddle stitching, folding, casebinding, pad binding, and large-volume stacking), execution of which isrequested by the operator for a job to be processed via the UI window ofFIG. 7 or that of FIG. 17B. That is, a sheet conveyance process toconvey a print medium through the sheet feeding path in the system 1000does not correspond to a “sheet process (post-process) necessary for ajob to be processed” in the embodiment.

As one control of the continuous-run operation, the control unit 205inhibits or permits the start of printing a succeeding job whose printexecution request is issued after a job whose sheets are to be taken outby the operator from a sheet processing device. The control unit 205 canalso execute display control synchronized with this operation.

This configuration is also a typical example of the configuration basedon a configuration unique to an inline finisher which connects to theprinting device physically and electrically.

On the premise of this configuration, the control unit 205 serving as anexample of the control unit of the printing system 1000 executes thefollowing control.

Prerequisite constituent features will be complemented before adescription of the control.

It is premised that the system 1000 comprises the printing device 100having the printer unit 203 capable of printing data in the HD 209capable of storing data of jobs. The system 1000 comprises a pluralityof sheet processing devices 200a to 200n which can connect to theprinting device 100 and can execute sheet processes for sheets of a jobprinted by the printer unit 203. Each sheet processing device allows theoperator to take out a printed material having undergone a sheetprocess. The system 1000 can selectively supply sheets of a job printedby the printer unit 203 from the printer unit 203 of the printing device100 to these sheet processing devices.

On the premise of this system configuration, the control unit 205serving as an example of the control unit of the embodiment executes thefollowing control.

A display method on the display means when the cover is open, and how tocontrol a job operation by the control unit 205 will be explained as afeature of the embodiment. For descriptive convenience, the control willbe explained with reference to FIGS. 20-1 to 20-3 and subsequentdrawings in a case that the printing system is configured by connectingthe large-volume stacker 200a, glue binding device 200b, and saddlestitching device 200c to the printing device main body 100 in FIGS. 8Aand 8B in the order named.

Display control executed by the control unit 205 on the condition thatthe cover of the printing device 100 is open in the absence of any jobto be printed in the system 1000 will be explained. The cover-openstatus of the printing device 100 means that the cover unit of theprinting device 100 serving as an example of the movable unit which isdisclosed in the embodiment and is manually operable by the operator isopen. The front cover of the housing of the printing device 100 will beexemplified. FIGS. 20-1 to 20-3 are views showing an example of displaycontrol executed by the control unit 205 on the touch panel unit 401(display unit) of the operation unit 204 while the cover of the printingdevice main body 100 is open. In FIG. 20-1, reference numeral 2011denotes a display window displayed on the display unit 401 under thecontrol of the control unit 205 on the condition that there is no job tobe processed and the printing device 100 stands by. When the system 1000is in this state, the control unit 205 controls the system 1000 to allowinput of a new job.

If the operator opens the cover of the printing device 100 while thewindow 2011 is displayed, the control unit 205 receives information tothis effect via an internal signal line. In response to this informationnotification, the control unit 205 causes the display unit 401 todisplay a window display 2012 which prompts the operator to close thecover.

In this manner, when the movable unit of the printing device 100 thatcan respond to a manual operation by the operator is open, the controlunit 205 limits (inhibits) acceptance of a new print execution requestso as not to input any new job to the printing device 100. When thecover of the printing device 100 is open, the control unit 205 inhibitsthe printing device 100 from executing any print process even if othersheet processing devices are available. When the cover of the device 100is open, the control unit 205 controls to inhibit all operations of alljobs requiring the print process. For this purpose, the control unit 205changes the display contents of the display unit 401 into those of thewindow 2012, controlling not to input an instruction and the like forexecuting the print process.

According to the embodiment, the control unit 205 causes the displayunit 401 to automatically display the window 2012 when the status of themovable unit of the printing device 100 changes from the closed statusto the open one. The window 2012 exhibits guidance information to promptthe operator to close the movable unit of the printing device 100.

Even while the window 2012 is displayed, the control unit 205 controlsto allow the operator to press a “system status/stop” key in a lowerarea in the display window. This key is used to input an instruction tonotify the operator of the device status of the system 1000.

Assume that the operator presses the “system status/stop” key in thewindow 2012 while the display unit 401 displays the window 2012. Inresponse to the input from the “system status/stop” key, the controlunit 205 causes the display unit 401 to display a device status displaywindow 2013, instead of the window 2012.

In this case, the control unit 205 keeps displaying information that thecover of the printing device 100 is open on the status line at the lowerportion even while the window 2013 is displayed.

The following description is related to control executed by the controlunit 205 on the condition that the movable unit of a sheet processingdevice that can respond to a manual operation by the operator is open inthe absence of any job to be printed in the system 1000. This controlwill be explained with reference to FIGS. 21A and 21B. The sheetprocessing device described below is an inline finisher in theembodiment.

In the embodiment, the control unit 205 confirms that the movable unitof the printing device 100 is closed. The control unit 205 furtherconfirms that the movable unit of at least one of the sheet processingdevices 200 available in the system 1000 is open.

In this case, the control unit 205 permits input of a new job requiringthe print process. For example, in this case, the control unit 205controls to accept the print process condition settings and printexecution request of the new job via the operation unit 204.

In this case, the movable unit of the sheet processing device is open asthe device status of the system 1000. To transmit this statusinformation to the operator, the control unit 205 controls the displayunit 401 to display a message representing this information on thestatus line at the bottom of the display window area of the display unit401.

A concrete example of display control executed by the control unit 205for the operation unit 204 having the display unit 401 will be explainedwith reference to a display window 2101 in FIG. 21A-1 to a displaywindow 2116 in FIG. 21B-8. FIGS. 21A-1 to 21A-7 and 21B-1 to 21B-8illustrate a total of 15 types of movable units as typical examples ofthe movable unit which can respond to a manual operation by the operatorand is disclosed in the embodiment. The control unit 205 executesdisplays in FIGS. 21A-1 to 21A-7 and 21B-1 to 21B-8 on the premise thatit confirms that at least the movable unit of the printing device 100 isclosed.

Assume that the control unit 205 confirms that at least the large-volumestacker exists as an inline finisher of the system 1000 and the frontcover (corresponding to the front door 2002 in FIG. 19) of the stackeris open. In this case, the control unit 205 causes the display unit 401to display the window 2101 in FIG. 21A-1. The control unit 205 controlsthe operation unit 204 to accept the process conditions and printexecution request of a new job from the operator via the window 2101while the status line keeps displaying a message which notifies him thatthe front cover is open.

For example, the control unit 205 causes the display unit 401 to displaythe message illustrated in the window 2101 serving as a candidate to bedisplayed on the status line on the condition that, for example, thefront cover of the large-volume stacker is open to take out a printedmaterial from the stack tray. The control unit 205 controls the displayunit 401 to erase status information displayed on the status line of thewindow 2101 on the condition that the front cover of the stacker isclosed. Another control example will be described below.

Assume that the control unit 205 confirms that the system configurationcomprises at least the large-volume stacker as an inline finisher of thesystem 1000 and the upper cover of the stacker is open. In this case,the control unit 205 causes the display unit 401 to display the window2102 in FIG. 21A-2. The control unit 205 controls the operation unit 204to accept the process conditions and print execution request of a newjob from the operator via the window 2102 while the status line keepsdisplaying a message which notifies him that the upper cover is open.

The large-volume stacker in the embodiment comprises the upper cover asa movable unit which is openable/closable by the operator to cancel ajam on the straight path (see the internal structure in FIG. 11) of thestacker. When confirming that the operator opens the upper cover, thecontrol unit 205 causes the display unit 401 to display the messageillustrated in the window 2102. The control unit 205 controls thedisplay unit 401 to erase status information displayed on the statusline of the window 2102 on the condition that the upper cover of thestacker is closed. Still another control example will be describedbelow.

Assume that the control unit 205 confirms that at least the large-volumestacker exists as an inline finisher of the system 1000 and the deliverytray cover of the stacker is open. In this case, the control unit 205causes the display unit 401 to display the window 2103 in FIG. 21A-3.The control unit 205 controls the operation unit 204 to accept theprocess conditions and print execution request of a new job from theoperator via the window 2103 while the status line keeps displaying amessage which notifies him that the delivery tray cover is open.

The large-volume stacker in the embodiment comprises, as a movable unitwhich can respond to a manual operation by the operator, the deliverytray cover at a portion (see the internal structure in FIG. 11) wheresheets are conveyed from the escape path to the escape tray. Whenconfirming that the operator opens the delivery tray cover, the controlunit 205 causes the display unit 401 to display the message illustratedin the window 2103. The control unit 205 controls the display unit 401to erase status information displayed on the status line of the window2103 on the condition that the delivery tray cover is closed.

Assume that the system 1000 is in a situation in which the control unit205 causes the operation unit 204 to execute one of the three displaysof the windows 2101 to 2103 in FIGS. 21A-1 to 21A-3. That is, themovable unit (in this example, one of the front cover, upper cover, anddelivery tray cover) of the large-volume stacker serving as an inlinefinisher available in the system 1000 is open. In this situation, a job,for which the control unit 205 permits the start of the print process,does not require any sheet process by the large-volume stacker.

Assume that the operator uses the key 503 to input the print executionrequest of a job requiring no sheet process by the large-volume stackerwhen the control unit 205 causes the display unit 401 to display one ofthe windows 2101 to 2103 in FIG. 21A-1 to 21A-3.

In this case, the control unit 205 keeps displaying the statusinformation so that the status line keeps displaying the message thatthe movable unit of the large-volume stacker is open.

In this case, the control unit 205 controls the system 1000 so that theprinting device 100 can start the print process of the job withoutcausing the display unit 401 to display guidance information to promptthe operator to close the movable unit of the large-volume stacker.

This control is one control example contained in control “to permitstarting the print process of a job to be processed without notifyingthe operator via the notification unit of guidance information to prompthim to close the movable unit of an inline finisher”.

The control unit 205 controls the system 1000 to inhibit (limit)execution of the print process of a job requiring a sheet process by thelarge-volume stacker unless a specific condition is satisfied in thesituation in which one of the windows 2101 to 2103 is displayed.

Assume that the operator uses the key 503 to input the print executionrequest of a job requiring a sheet process by the large-volume stackerwhen the control unit 205 causes the display unit 401 to display one ofthe windows 2101 to 2103 in FIG. 21A-1 to 21A-3.

In this case, even when receiving the print execution request of thejob, the control unit 205 inhibits the start of the print process of thejob, and causes the display unit 401 to display guidance information toprompt the operator to close the movable unit of the large-volumestacker.

In this case, the control unit 205 controls the system 1000 so that theprinting device 100 can start the print process of the job after thedisplay unit 401 displays the guidance information and the operatorcloses the movable unit of the large-volume stacker.

This control is one control example contained in control “to inhibitstarting the print process of a job to be processed without notifyingthe operator via the notification unit of guidance information to prompthim to close the movable unit of an inline finisher”.

In the embodiment, the display of a popup window in a window 2304 inFIG. 23-5 to be described later is employed as an example of the displayof guidance information to prompt the operator to close the movable unitof the large-volume stacker.

Control examples other than those of the windows 2101 to 2103 will bedescribed.

Assume that the control unit 205 confirms that at least the glue bindingdevice exists as an inline finisher of the system 1000 and the inserter(see the internal structure in FIG. 12) of the glue binding device isopen. In this case, the control unit 205 causes the display unit 401 todisplay the window 2105 in FIG. 21A-4. The control unit 205 controls theoperation unit 204 to accept the process conditions and print executionrequest of a new job from the operator via the window 2105 while thestatus line keeps displaying a message which notifies him that theinserter is open. The inserter and insertion tray (see FIG. 12) of theglue binding device are also openable/closable by the operator whenremoving a sheet jammed in the inserter path in the binding device, andare also examples of the movable unit in the embodiment. The controlunit 205 controls the display unit 401 to erase the message displayed onthe status line of the window 2105 on the condition that the inserter ofthe glue binding device is closed. Another control example will bedescribed below.

Assume that the control unit 205 confirms that at least the glue bindingdevice exists as an inline finisher of the system 1000 and the uppercover of the glue binding device is open. In this case, the control unit205 causes the display unit 401 to display the window 2106 in FIG.21A-5. The control unit 205 controls the operation unit 204 to acceptthe process conditions and print execution request of a new job from theoperator via the window 2106 while the status line keeps displaying amessage which notifies him that the upper cover of the glue bindingdevice is open. The upper cover (see the internal structure in FIG. 12)of the glue binding device is also openable/closable by the operatorwhen removing a sheet jammed in the straight path, and is also anexample of the movable unit in the embodiment. The control unit 205controls the display unit 401 to erase the message displayed on thestatus line of the window 2106 on the condition that the upper cover ofthe glue binding device is closed. Still another control example will bedescribed below.

Assume that the control unit 205 confirms that at least the glue bindingdevice exists as an inline finisher of the system 1000 and the frontcover of the glue binding device is open. In this case, the control unit205 causes the display unit 401 to display the window 2107 in FIG.21A-6. The control unit 205 controls the operation unit 204 to acceptthe process conditions and print execution request of a new job from theoperator via the window 2107 while the status line keeps displaying amessage which notifies him that the front cover of the glue bindingdevice is open. The control unit 205 controls the display unit 401 toerase the message displayed on the status line of the window 2107 on thecondition that the front cover of the glue binding device is closed.

Assume that the system 1000 is in a situation in which the control unit205 causes the operation unit 204 to execute one of the three displaysof the windows 2105 to 2107 in FIGS. 21A-4 to 21A-6. That is, themovable unit (in this example, at least one of the inserter, uppercover, and front cover) is open which can respond to a manual operationby the operator and is attached to the glue binding device serving as aninline finisher available in the system 1000. In this situation, a job,for which the control unit 205 permits the start of the print process,does not require any sheet process by the glue binding device.

Assume that the operator uses the key 503 to input the print executionrequest of a job requiring no sheet process by the glue binding devicewhen the control unit 205 causes the display unit 401 to display one ofthe windows 2105 to 2107 in FIGS. 21A-4 to 21A-6.

In this case, the control unit 205 keeps displaying the statusinformation so that the status line keeps displaying the message thatthe movable unit of the glue binding device is open.

In this case, the control unit 205 controls the system 1000 so that theprinting device 100 can start the print process of the job withoutcausing the display unit 401 to display guidance information to promptthe operator to close the movable unit of the glue binding device.

This control is one control example contained in control “to permitstarting the print process of a job to be processed without notifyingthe operator via the notification unit of guidance information to prompthim to close the movable unit of an inline finisher”.

The control unit 205 controls the system 1000 to inhibit (limit)execution of the print process of a job requiring a sheet process by theglue binding device unless a specific condition is satisfied in thesituation in which one of the windows 2105 to 2107 is displayed.

Assume that the operator uses the key 503 to input the print executionrequest of a job requiring a sheet process by the glue binding devicewhen the control unit 205 causes the display unit 401 to display one ofthe windows 2105 to 2107 in FIGS. 21A-4 to 21A-6.

In this case, even when receiving the print execution request of thejob, the control unit 205 inhibits the start of the print process of thejob, and causes the display unit 401 to display guidance information toprompt the operator to close the movable unit of the glue bindingdevice.

In this case, the control unit 205 controls the system 1000 so that theprinting device 100 can start the print process of the job after thedisplay unit 401 displays the guidance information and the operatorcloses the movable unit of the glue binding device.

This control is one control example contained in control “to inhibitstarting the print process of a job to be processed without notifyingthe operator via the notification unit of guidance information to prompthim to close the movable unit of an inline finisher”.

In the embodiment, the display of a popup window in a window 2503 inFIG. 25-3 to be described later is employed as an example of the displayof guidance information to prompt the operator to close the movable unitof the glue binding device.

Control examples other than those of the windows 2105 to 2107 will bedescribed.

Assume that the control unit 205 confirms that at least the saddlestitching device exists as an inline finisher of the system 1000 and theupper cover of the Z-folding unit (see the internal structure in FIG.13) of the saddle stitching device is open. In this case, the controlunit 205 causes the display unit 401 to display the window 2108 in FIG.21A-7. The control unit 205 controls the operation unit 204 to acceptthe process conditions and print execution request of a new job from theoperator via the window 2108 while the status line keeps displaying amessage which notifies him that the upper cover of the Z-folding unit isopen. The control unit 205 controls the display unit 401 to erase themessage displayed on the status line of the window 2108 on the conditionthat the upper cover of the Z-folding unit is closed. The upper cover(see the internal structure in FIG. 13) of the Z-folding unit of thesaddle stitching device is also an example of the movable unit in theembodiment that is also openable/closable by the operator when, forexample, removing a sheet jammed in the feeding path extending to asucceeding sheet processing device. Another control example will bedescribed below.

Assume that the control unit 205 confirms that at least the saddlestitching device exists as an inline finisher of the system 1000 and theinserter at the top of the saddle stitching device is open. In thiscase, the control unit 205 causes the display unit 401 to display thewindow 2109 in FIG. 21B-1. The control unit 205 controls the operationunit 204 to accept the process conditions and print execution request ofa new job from the operator via the window 2109 while the status linekeeps displaying a message which notifies him that the inserter is open.The control unit 205 controls the display unit 401 to erase the messagedisplayed on the status line of the window 2109 on the condition thatthe inserter of the saddle stitching device is closed. The inserter (seethe internal structure in FIG. 13) of the saddle stitching device isalso an example of the movable unit which can respond to an operatoroperation. Another control example will be described below.

Assume that the control unit 205 confirms that at least the saddlestitching device exists as an inline finisher of the system 1000 and theZ-folding unit of the saddle stitching device is pulled out to thefront. In this case, the control unit 205 causes the display unit 401 todisplay the window 2110 in FIG. 21B-2. The control unit 205 controls theoperation unit 204 to accept the process conditions and print executionrequest of a new job from the operator via the window 2110 while thestatus line keeps displaying a message which notifies him that theZ-folding unit is open. The control unit 205 controls the display unit401 to erase the message displayed on the status line of the window 2110on the condition that the Z-folding unit of the saddle stitching deviceis returned to the original position. The Z-folding unit (see theinternal structure in FIG. 13) of the saddle stitching device is also anexample of the movable unit which can respond to an operation by theoperator.

In addition to these movable units, the saddle stitching device whoseinternal structure is shown in FIG. 13 comprises other movable unitsmanually operable by the operator. Pieces of information to be displayedon the status line illustrated in the windows 2111 to 2116 in FIGS.21B-3 to 21B-8 are displayed when the corresponding movable units areopen.

Assume that the control unit 205 confirms that at least the saddlestitching device exists as an inline finisher of the system 1000 and thefront cover of the housing which incorporates the puncher and stapler ofthe saddle stitching device is open. In this case, the control unit 205causes the display unit 401 to display the window 2111 in FIG. 21B-3.The control unit 205 controls the operation unit 204 to accept theprocess conditions and print execution request of a new job from theoperator via the window 2111 while the status line keeps displaying amessage which notifies him that the front cover of the saddle stitchingdevice is open. The control unit 205 controls the display unit 401 toerase the message displayed on the status line of the window 2111 on thecondition that the front cover of the saddle stitching device is closed.

Assume that the control unit 205 confirms that at least the saddlestitching device exists as an inline finisher of the system 1000 and theupper cover of the housing which incorporates the puncher and stapler ofthe saddle stitching device is open. In this case, the control unit 205causes the display unit 401 to display the window 2112 in FIG. 21B-4.The control unit 205 controls the operation unit 204 to accept theprocess conditions and print execution request of a new job from theoperator via the window 2112 while the status line keeps displaying amessage which notifies him that the upper cover is open. The controlunit 205 controls the display unit 401 to erase the message displayed onthe status line of the window 2112 on the condition that the upper coveris closed.

Assume that the control unit 205 confirms that at least the saddlestitching device exists as an inline finisher of the system 1000 and thecover of the inserter of the saddle stitching device is open. In thiscase, the control unit 205 causes the display unit 401 to display thewindow 2113 in FIG. 21B-5. The control unit 205 controls the operationunit 204 to accept the process conditions and print execution request ofa new job from the operator via the window 2113 while the status linekeeps displaying a message which notifies him that the cover of theinserter is open. The control unit 205 controls the display unit 401 toerase the message displayed on the status line of the window 2113 on thecondition that the cover of the inserter of the saddle stitching deviceis closed.

The front cover, upper cover, and inserter cover of the saddle stitchingdevice are also examples of the movable unit which is openable/closableby the operator when, for example, removing a sheet jammed in the saddlestitching device.

Assume that the control unit 205 confirms that at least the saddlestitching device exists as an inline finisher of the system 1000 and thetrimmer unit of the saddle stitching device is pulled out. In this case,the control unit 205 causes the display unit 401 to display the window2114 in FIG. 21B-6. Also in this case, as shown in the window 2114, thecontrol unit 205 controls the operation unit 204 to accept the printexecution request of a new job from the operator while the status linekeeps notifying him that the trimmer unit is pulled out. The controlunit 205 controls the display unit 401 to erase the message on thestatus line of the window 2114 in FIG. 21B-6 on the condition that thetrimmer unit is returned to the original position. The trimmer unit canbe pulled out by a manual operation by the operator, and is also anexample of the movable unit disclosed in the embodiment.

Assume that the control unit 205 confirms that at least the saddlestitching device exists as an inline finisher of the system 1000 and theupper cover of the trimmer of the saddle stitching device is open. Inthis case, the control unit 205 causes the display unit 401 to displaythe window 2115 in FIG. 21B-7. Also in this case, as shown in the window2115, the control unit 205 controls the operation unit 204 to accept theprint execution request of a new job from the operator while the statusline keeps notifying the operator that the upper cover of the trimmer isopen. The control unit 205 controls the display unit 401 to erase themessage on the status line of the window 2115 in FIG. 21B-7 on thecondition that the upper cover of the trimmer is closed.

Assume that the control unit 205 confirms that at least the saddlestitching device exists as an inline finisher of the system 1000 and thefront cover of the trimmer of the saddle stitching device is open. Inthis case, the control unit 205 causes the display unit 401 to displaythe window 2116 in FIG. 21B-8. The control unit 205 controls theoperation unit 204 to accept the process conditions and print executionrequest of a new job from the operator via the window 2116 while thestatus line keeps displaying a message which notifies him that the frontcover of the trimmer is open. The control unit 205 controls the displayunit 401 to erase the message displayed on the status line of the window2116 on the condition that the front cover of the trimmer is closed.

The unit, upper cover, and front cover of the trimmer are also examplesof the movable unit which is operable by the operator when, for example,removing a sheet jammed in the trimmer.

Assume that the system 1000 is in a situation in which the control unit205 causes the operation unit 204 to execute one of the nine displays ofthe window 2108 in FIG. 21A-7 to the window 2116 in FIG. 21B-8. That is,the movable unit of the saddle stitching device serving as an inlinefinisher available in the system 1000 is open. In this situation, a job,for which the control unit 205 permits the start of the print process,does not require any sheet process by the saddle stitching device.

Assume that the operator uses the key 503 to input the print executionrequest of a job requiring no sheet process by the saddle stitchingdevice when the control unit 205 causes the display unit 401 to displayone of the window 2108 in FIG. 21A-7 to the window 2116 in FIG. 21B-8.

In this case, the control unit 205 keeps displaying the statusinformation so that the status line keeps displaying the message whichnotifies him that the movable unit of the saddle stitching device isopen.

In this case, the control unit 205 controls the system 1000 so that theprinting device 100 can start the print process of the job withoutcausing the display unit 401 to display guidance information to promptthe operator to close the movable unit of the saddle stitching device.

This control is one control example contained in control “to permitstarting the print process of a job to be processed without notifyingthe operator via the notification unit of guidance information to prompthim to close the movable unit of an inline finisher”.

The control unit 205 controls the system 1000 to inhibit (limit)execution of the print process of a job requiring a sheet process by thesaddle stitching device unless a specific condition is satisfied in thesituation in which one of the windows 2108 to 2116 is displayed.

Assume that the operator uses the key 503 to input the print executionrequest of a job requiring a sheet process by the saddle stitchingdevice when the control unit 205 causes the display unit 401 to displayone of the windows 2108 to 2116.

In this case, even when receiving the print execution request of thejob, the control unit 205 inhibits the start of the print process of thejob, and causes the display unit 401 to display guidance information toprompt the operator to close the movable unit of the saddle stitchingdevice.

In this case, the control unit 205 controls the system 1000 so that theprinting device 100 can start the print process of the job after thedisplay unit 401 displays the guidance information and the operatorcloses the movable unit of the saddle stitching device.

This control is one control example contained in control “to inhibitstarting the print process of a job to be processed without notifyingthe operator via the notification unit of guidance information to prompthim to close the movable unit of an inline finisher”.

In the embodiment, the display of a popup window in a window 2403 inFIG. 24-3 to be described later is employed as an example of the displayof guidance information to prompt the operator to close the movable unitof the saddle stitching device.

Control executed by the control unit 205 on the condition that thecontrol unit 205 confirms that at least one of types of movable units ofthe sheet processing devices 200 is open has been exemplified withreference to FIGS. 21A and 21B. Control executed by the control unit 205when displaying one of the window 2101 in FIG. 21A-1 to the window 2116in FIG. 21B-8 is different from one executed by the control unit 205when displaying the window 2012 or 2013 in FIGS. 20-2 and 20-3.

For example, in the control illustrated in FIGS. 21A and 21B, thecontrol unit 205 causes the operation unit 204 to display a message(status information) that the movable unit is open, on the status lineat the bottom of the display window. The control unit 205 controls theoperation unit 204 to allow the operator to input the print processcondition settings and print execution request of a new job whilekeeping the status information displayed.

More specifically, when executing the control illustrated in FIGS. 21Aand 21B, the control unit 205 does not perform control to executefull-screen display which covers the entire display area, so as not toaccept any operation from the operator and to inhibit input of a newjob. This is an example of the mechanism of obtaining the effects of theembodiment to ensure the continuous-run operation of the system 1000 asmuch as possible and process a plurality of jobs at high productivitywithout inhibiting execution of a job before finalizing which of inlinefinishers is used for a newly input job. This configuration is also anexample of the mechanism of obtaining other effects of the embodiment toachieve the above effects while maintaining high operability withoutdemanding extra work of the operator.

Assume that a plurality of movable units among a total of 15 movableunits illustrated in FIGS. 21A and 21B are open in the system 1000. Inthis case, the control unit 205 controls to display pieces of statusinformation of these open movable units sequentially one by one on thestatus line out of a total of 15 messages to be displayed on the statusline in the windows of FIGS. 21A and 21B. At this time, for example, thecontrol unit 205 controls to display messages representing the openstatus of the movable units preferentially from an inline finisher closeto the printing device 100. It may be configured to, when movable unitsare open at a plurality of portions, display pieces of statusinformation of these movable units in accordance with a predeterminedpriority order. When displaying pieces of status information of themovable units on the status line, they are automatically switched atpredetermined intervals. Accordingly, all the messages of pieces ofstatus information of the open movable units are displayedautomatically. The control unit 205 may also execute this displaycontrol.

Control when a job is input will be explained. A control example whenthe control unit 205 newly accepts a job execution request while none ofthe above-mentioned movable unit is open in the system 1000 (all themovable units are closed) will be described with reference to FIGS. 22-1to 22-3.

In the following description, “no cover is open” means that all movableunits manually operable by the operator in order to, for example,manually remove a jam are closed in the system 1000. In the followingdescription, “standby state” means a state in which the printing device100 does not suffer any print interrupt factors or the like and theprinting device 100 is printable.

In the standby state of the system 1000, the control unit 205 causes thedisplay unit 401 to display a window 2201 in FIG. 22-1 in order todisplay to the operator a message to this effect. The control unit 205waits for input of a new job via the window 2201.

Assume that the operator sets the print process conditions of a new jobto be processed using the operation unit 204, and presses the start key503 in the standby state. When the user presses the key 503, the controlunit 205 determines that the operator has input the print start requestof the job. Then, the control unit 205 causes the printing device 100 tostart the print process of the job.

Assume that this job is a copy job. In this case, the control unit 205causes the scanner unit 201 to scan print data of the job in accordancewith input of the print start request from the key 503. The control unit205 causes the HD 209 to store the scanned print data of the job. Afterthat, the control unit 205 causes the printer unit 203 to print theprint data of the job that is stored in the HD 209. In this way, thecontrol unit 205 executes the scan and storage processes of the jobprior to the print process.

If the job is a box job, the HD 209 has already stored print data of thejob prior to input of the print start request from the operation unit204. Thus, if the job is a box job, the control unit 205 causes theprinter unit 203 to print by reading out the print data of the job fromthe HD 209 without executing the scan and storage processes of the jobafter receiving the print start request from the operation unit 204.

The embodiment treats various jobs (e.g., a copy job and box job) asjobs to be printed. Control disclosed in the embodiment is applicablecommonly to these jobs.

By this method, the control unit 205 causes the display unit 401 todisplay a display window capable of notifying the operator of the jobprogress when the printing device 100 actually starts processing the jobwhose print start request is issued.

For example, when printing of the job is in progress in the system 1000,the control unit 205 causes the display unit 401 to display a window2202 in FIG. 22-2 as the display representing the progress. In theembodiment, the control unit 205 causes the display unit 401 to displaya popup window representing that the job is in execution, as shown inthe display of the window 2202. The popup window illustrated in thewindow 2202 can notify the operator of the progress of a current job inreal time, and is called a job process status window in the embodiment.

Assume that the system 1000 completes the process of the job through theseries of processes. In response to this, the control unit 205 controlsthe display unit 401 to erase (close) the job process status window fromthe window, and change the display contents of the display unit 401 tothose in the standby state. For example, the control unit 205 causes thedisplay unit 401 to display a window 2203 of the same display contentsas those of the window 2201 after the end of processing of the jobdisplayed in the popup window of the window 2202.

This is an example of job execution control executed by the control unit205 and an example of display control on the display unit 401 while nocover is open.

This control is executed while all movable units operable by theoperator are closed in the system 1000. That is, this control is acontrol example in a case that the statuses of the movable units do notchange from the closed status to the open one. To the contrary, guidanceinformation notification control executed in a case that one of themovable units of inline finishers changes from the closed status to theopen one, and job control in this case will be exemplified.

Control executed by the control unit 205 in a case that the status ofthe front cover of the large-volume stacker in the system 1000 changesfrom the closed status to the open one along with operation by anoperator will be described with reference to FIGS. 23-1 to 23-7.

When the control unit 205 confirms that the printing device 100 is inthe standby state and no cover is open, it causes the display unit 401to display a window 2301 in FIG. 23-1. In this state, the control unit205 permits input of a job. Input of a job in the embodiment meansinputting a request (instruction) to process a job requiring the printprocess. If the operator opens the front cover of the large-volumestacker in this state, the large-volume stacker notifies the controlunit 205 of information to this effect via an internal signal line. Fromthis information, the control unit 205 confirms that the status of thefront cover changes from the closed status to the open one. After theconfirmation, the control unit 205 changes the display contents of thedisplay unit 401 from the window 2301 to a window 2303. The control unit205 controls to display a message that the front cover of the stacker isopen, on the status line (lower portion of the window) in the display ofthe window 2303. The control unit 205 can accept the print processcondition settings and print execution request of a new job from theoperator via the window 2303 while keeping the message displayed. Inthis way, when the movable unit of an inline finisher is open, thecontrol unit 205 inhibits the operation unit 204 from executing thefull-screen cover-open display, unlike the window 2012 in FIG. 20-2.

The full-screen cover-open display notifies the operator of informationon an open movable unit. In addition, the full-screen cover-open displayinhibits (invalidates) acceptance of a request from the operator to setthe process conditions of a job requiring the print process and executethe process of the job. For example, the control unit 205 causes thedisplay unit 401 to show the full-screen cover-open display on thecondition that the operator opens the movable unit of the printingdevice 100. The window 2012 in FIG. 20-2 is also an example of thefull-screen cover-open display.

Referring back to the description of FIGS. 23-1 to 23-7, assume that theoperator uses the operation unit 204 to input a new job whose printedmaterial delivery destination is the delivery destination of thelarge-volume stacker, while the display unit 401 displays the window2303 in FIG. 23-2. For example, this situation corresponds to a case inwhich the operator inputs, with the start key 503, the print executionrequest of a new job which designates the large-volume stacker by aninput from the key 709 in FIG. 7.

In this case, the control unit 205 inhibits the printing device 100 fromstarting the print process of the job though the operator inputs theprint execution request of the job by pressing the key 503. In thiscase, the control unit 205 inhibits execution of the print process ofthe job, and changes the display contents of the display unit 401 fromthe window 2303 to the window 2304.

The control unit 205 executes this control on the condition that the jobto be processed requires a post-process by an inline finisher whosemovable unit is open.

For example, the job to be processed requires the delivery destinationof the large-volume stacker. The delivery destination of the jobcoincides with that of the inline finisher whose cover is currentlyopen. Hence, the control unit 205 executes this control based on thedetermination result. In this case, the control unit 205 causes thedisplay unit 401 to display the popup window shown in the window 2304 asthe execution interrupt window of the job.

In this embodiment, when the operator inputs the print process requestof a job requiring a post-process by an inline finisher having an openmovable unit, the control unit 205 causes the display unit 401 todisplay a display window containing a message which prompts the operatorto close the movable unit of the inline finisher associated with theprocess of the job. The popup window of the window 2304 contains jobinformation “copy job, acceptance number 0001” which specifies the typeand identification number of the job, together with guidance information“please close the front cover of the stacker”. In this manner, thecontrol unit 205 causes the UI unit to notify the operator of guidanceinformation associated with an action to be taken by him to resume theprocess of a job requiring a post-process by an inline finisher having acurrently open movable unit.

The embodiment uses expressions “interrupt of a job” and “resume of ajob”. This is because the job is a copy job requiring a document imagedata scan process and a storage process in the HD 209 prior to the startof the print process.

Even in a case that execution of the print process of the job isinhibited, like in this example, the control unit 205 causes theprinting device 100 to complete the document scan operation and the likenecessary for the job to be executed prior to the start of the printprocess. The control unit 205 controls the printing device 100 to stop(interrupt) the process of the job upon completion of all processesnecessary before the start of the print process.

Since the control unit 205 executes this control for the printing device100, the embodiment uses the expressions “interrupt of a job” and“resume of a job”.

Referring back to the description of FIGS. 23-1 to 23-7, according tothe embodiment, the control unit 205 controls a popup window to bedisplayed on the display unit 401, to notify the operator of informationunique to a job which directly influences a job to be processed, likethe display example of the window 2304.

For example, the control unit 205 causes the display unit 401 to displayguidance information in the popup window so as to close a movable unitwhich influences the process of the job whose print process isinhibited, like the display example of the window 2304. However, thecontrol unit 205 controls the display unit 401 not to display, in thepopup window, information on a movable unit which does not influence theprocess of the job whose print process is inhibited, even if the movableunit is open. For example, even when the movable unit which does notinfluence the process of the job is open, the control unit 205 inhibitsthe display unit 401 from displaying guidance information in the popupwindow to close the movable unit.

The control unit 205 controls the display unit 401 to automaticallydisplay information on a movable unit to be displayed in the popupwindow and on the status line, without explicitly designating thedisplay of the information by the operator from the operation unit 204.For example, according to the embodiment, the control unit 205 controlsthe display unit 401 to automatically display target movable unitinformation based on status information of a movable unit in the system1000 and a change of the status. This point is common to allconfigurations disclosed in the embodiment.

Referring back to the description of FIGS. 23-1 to 23-7, according tothe embodiment, even while displaying guidance information to close amovable unit which influences a job to be processed, the control unit205 controls to display status information of an open movable unit onthe status line as information discriminated from the guidanceinformation.

For example, when a movable unit which influences a job to be processedis open, the control unit 205 controls to display, as status informationon the status line, a message that the movable unit which influences thejob is open.

According to the embodiment, even when a movable unit which does notinfluence a job to be processed is open, the control unit 205 controlsto display, as status information on the status line, a message that themovable unit which does not influence the job is open.

In the example of the window 2304, the control unit 205 displays statusinformation on the status line of the window to notify the operator thatthe front cover of the stacker is open even while the popup windowdisplays guidance information to close the front cover. The operator canidentify the guidance information as job information on a job to beprocessed. The operator can identify the status information as that ofthe system 1000.

In the embodiment, as long as a movable unit is in the open status, thecontrol unit 205 displays status information on the status lineregardless of whether the movable unit influences or does not influencethe process of a target job. In the embodiment, the control unit 205controls the display unit 401 to display, in the window, guidanceinformation to close a movable unit associated with the process of thetarget job while keeping the status information displayed.

The popup window in the embodiment that can notify the operator ofguidance information to close the movable unit of an inline finisherwhich influences a job to be processed also has a display key configuredto allow the operator to input a specific instruction.

For example, the control unit 205 causes the display unit 401 to displaya window having a “to another function” key and “stop” key together withguidance information to close the front cover of the large-volumestacker, as shown in the popup window of the window 2304.

Assume that the operator presses the “to another function” key in thepopup window. In the case, while the process of a print start-inhibitedjob stands by (i.e., while the print start inhibition state of the jobis maintained), the control unit 205 controls the system 1000 to executethe process of another job.

For example, in response to an input from the “to another function” key,the control unit 205 controls the operation unit 204 to erase the popupdisplay of the window 2304 from the window and accept the processcondition settings and print execution request of another job requiringthe print process, other than the print start-inhibited job.

Assume that the operator presses the “stop” key in the popup window. Inthis case, the control unit 205 controls the system 1000 to stop(cancel) the process of the print start-inhibited job and execute theprocess of another job. For example, if the HD 209 has already storedprint data of the print-inhibited job, the control unit 205 controls toerase the print data from the HD 209.

In this situation, the movable unit is open regardless of which of the“to another function” key and “stop” key in the popup window is pressed.Hence, the control unit 205 keeps displaying the status information onthe status line to notify the operator that the movable unit is open.

For example, the control unit 205 controls to close the popup window andchange the display contents of the display unit 401 to those of a window2307 in response to the press of the “to another function” key or “stop”key in the popup window by the operator.

Assume that the operator, who has confirmed the popup display of thewindow 2304 while the window 2304 is displayed, closes the currentlyopen front door of the large-volume stacker which is to execute anecessary for the print start-inhibited job. That is, the status of thefront door changes from the open status to the closed one. In responseto this, the control unit 205 permits the printer unit 203 to start theprint process of the print-inhibited job. That is, the control unit 205controls the system to resume the process of the print-inhibited job atthis point.

When confirming the status of a movable unit or a change of the status,the control unit 205 acquires sensor information necessary for theconfirmation from a related inline finisher via an internal signal line.According to the embodiment, the control unit 205 can confirm a changeof the status of the movable unit of an inline finisher by this method.

The above-described popup window is closed when canceling theprint-inhibited state of a job. Then, guidance information to close amovable unit which influences the process of the job is erased from thewindow. Instead of the popup window, the control unit 205 causes thedisplay unit 401 to popup-display a job process status window capable ofnotifying the operator in real time of the progress of a job for whichinhibition of printing is canceled. The control unit 205 executes thisdisplay control for the display unit 401.

For example, when the operator closes the front door, the control unit205 causes the printing device 100 to start the print process of thejob. At the same time, the control unit 205 controls the display unit401 to close the popup window of the window 2304 and automaticallydisplay the popup window of a window 2306.

Upon completion of executing all the processes of the job by the system1000, the control unit 205 changes the display contents of the displayunit 401 from the window 2306 to a window 2308. That is, the controlunit 205 sets the same standby state as the display state of the window2301, and allows acceptance of the process execution request of anotherjob.

An example of the control executed by the control unit 205 in theembodiment including a series of display control operations: window2303→window 2304→window 2306→window 2308 has been described.

The control unit 205 executes this control when confirming that themovable unit of an inline finisher necessary for the post-process of atarget job is open before the start of the print process of the job.

This control is also a control example executed by the control unit 205when the status of the movable unit of an inline finisher necessary forthe post-process of a target job changes from the closed status to theopen one while the printer unit 203 prints the job. This point is commonto all control examples to be illustrated in FIGS. 24-1 to 24-8 and 25-1to 25-6. This will be illustrated in FIGS. 23-1 to 23-7.

Assume that at least two movable units, i.e., the movable units of theprinting device 100 and large-volume stacker are in the closed status.In this situation, assume that the operator uses the key 503 to inputthe print execution request of a job requiring a post-process by thelarge-volume stacker. Then, the control unit 205 causes the printer unit203 to start the print process of the job. Also, assume that printing ofthe job is in progress. At this time, the control unit 205 causes thedisplay unit 401 to display a popup window (e.g., the popup window ofthe window 2202 in FIG. 22-2) representing the progress of the printprocess of the job.

Assume that the operator opens the movable unit of the large-volumestacker serving as the inline finisher necessary for the post-process ofthe job while the printer unit 203 executes the print process of thejob. This means that the status of the movable unit of the large-volumestacker changes from the open status to the closed one while the printerunit 203 executes the print process of the job though the movable unitof the printing device 100 remains in the closed status.

When confirming this situation, the control unit 205 controls theprinter unit 203 to immediately interrupt the print process of the jobin progress by the printer unit 203. After the interruption of printing,the control unit 205 makes the job wait for printing. The control unit205 also performs display control in synchronism with job executioncontrol. For example, if the control unit 205 confirms this situation,it controls the display unit 401 to immediately end the display of thepopup window of the window 2202 representing progress information of theprint process of the job. Instead, the control unit 205 controls thedisplay unit 401 to immediately display the popup window of the window2304 capable of notifying the operator of guidance information to closethe movable unit of the large-volume stacker which influences theprocess of the job.

Control after the display of the window 2304 is the same as theabove-described one except for the following operation, and a detaileddescription thereof will be omitted.

For example, the control unit 205 causes the printer unit 203 to resumethe print process of the interrupted job in response to a change of thestatus of the movable unit of the large-volume stacker from the openstatus to the closed one. In this case, the print process progressesimmediately before printing of the job is interrupted. In resuming theprocess of the job, the control unit 205 causes the printer unit 203 toresume the print process from part of the job that has not beenprocessed immediately before the interruption of the job.

The control executed by the control unit 205 in response to a change ofthe status of the movable unit of an inline finisher necessary for thepost-process of a target job from the closed status to the open one isalso applied before the start of printing the job or during printing ofthe job. This point is also common to control examples to be describedbelow.

The above-described control including a series of display controloperations: window 2301→window 2303→window 2304→window 2306→window 2308falls within an example of a configuration in which the control unit 205executes control of the following constituent feature (A) in theembodiment.

(A) When a job to be processed requires a post-process by an inlinefinisher having an open movable unit, it is inhibited to execute theprint process of the job without notifying the operator via the UI unitof guidance information to close the movable unit.

In control of constituent feature (A), the print process of the job isexecuted on the condition that the operator is notified of the guidanceinformation and closes the movable unit (the status of the movable unitchanges from the open status to the closed one).

According to the embodiment, the control unit 205 executes not onlycontrol of constituent feature (A) but also control of the followingconstituent feature (B).

(B) When a job to be processed does not require any post-process by aninline finisher having an open movable unit, it is permitted to executethe print process of the job without notifying the operator via the UIunit of guidance information to close the movable unit.

In control of constituent feature (B), it is permitted to start theprint process of the job requiring no post-process by the inlinefinisher even while the movable unit remains open in the system 1000.

Regardless of which of (B) and (A) is executed, the control unit 205allows the UI unit to notify the operator of status information that amovable unit is open.

A control example in a case that the control unit 205 inhibits a changefrom the window 2303 to the window 2304, but changes the window 2303 toa window 2305 will be explained as a control example contained incontrol of constituent feature (B).

When the window 2303 is displayed, the control unit 205 permitsacceptance of a new job though the movable unit of the large-volumestacker is open. The type of job for which execution of the printprocess is permitted in response to a print execution request input bythe operator via the window 2303 is a job requiring no post-process bythe large-volume stacker.

Assume that the operator uses the operation unit 204 to input the printexecution request of a job requiring the delivery destination of thesaddle stitching device as a printed material delivery destination whilethe control unit 205 causes the display unit 401 to display the window2303. This corresponds to a case in which the operator sets apost-process by the saddle stitching device for a job to be processedvia a window 700 in FIG. 7, and presses the key 503. In this way, assumethat the operator inputs a new job for which the saddle stitching device(described as a finisher in FIGS. 23-1 to 23-7) is designated as aprinted material delivery destination by an operator setting while themovable unit of the large-volume stacker is open.

In this case, the control unit 205 permits the printing device 100 toexecute the print process of a job requiring the delivery destination ofthe saddle stitching device even while the movable unit of thelarge-volume stacker is open. When the operator inputs the printexecution request of the job via the display of the window 2303, thecontrol unit 205 causes the printer unit 203 to start the print processof the job. In synchronism with this, the control unit 205 changes thedisplay contents of the display unit 401 from those of the window 2303to those of the window 2305.

In the display of the window 2305, the control unit 205 controls thedisplay unit to popup-display a job process status window capable ofnotifying the operator in real time of the process status of the job forwhich execution of printing is permitted. In addition, the control unit205 displays status information on the status line of the window 2305 torepresent that the movable unit of the large-volume stacker is open,while continuing to notify the operator of the process status of the jobin the popup window in real time.

In the display example of the window 2305, the control unit 205 controlsthe display unit 401 to display a message on the status line torepresent that the front cover of the large-volume stacker is open,while continuing to notify the operator of the process status of the jobin the popup window.

In response to the end of all the processes of the job by the system1000, the control unit 205 controls the display unit 401 to end thepopup display of the job process status window and return the displaycontents of the display unit 401 to the display in the standby state. Inthis example, the movable unit of the large-volume stacker remains open.Thus, the control unit 205 controls the display unit 401 to change itsdisplay contents to those of the window 2307 in the same state as thewindow 2303. Further, the control unit 205 controls the operation unit204 to accept the print process condition settings and print executionrequest of a new job from the operator via the window 2307.

The control unit 205 controls the display unit 401 to erase informationdisplayed on the status line of the window 2307 from the window on thecondition that the operator closes the movable unit of the large-volumestacker in the system 1000.

In a series of control operations: window 2303→window 2305→window 2307,the control unit 205 controls the system 1000 to execute the printprocess of the job without causing the display unit 401 to displayguidance information to prompt the operator to close the front cover ofthe large-volume stacker.

For example, in this case, the control unit 205 controls the displayunit 401 to inhibit display of the popup window of the window 2304 whichis displayed in control of a job requiring the delivery destination ofthe large-volume stacker.

The system 1000 can run as continuously as possible without stopping theoperation in an environment where even unnecessarily notification to theoperator of guidance information to prompt him to close the cover of thestacker though he does not want to be notified is suppressed.

As described above, the configuration enables the system 1000 to run ascontinuously as possible even while a movable unit is open. Theconfiguration can also keep status information displayed on the statusline to represent that the movable unit is open.

As a result, the system 1000 can implement both high productivity andhigh operability without any new problems which influence operability bygiving priority to control that is capable of processing a plurality ofjobs at high productivity.

An application of a control example contained in the control example ofconstituent feature (B) will be explained with reference to FIGS. 24-1to 24-8.

FIGS. 24-1 to 24-8 show control examples executed by the control unit205 in a case that a plurality of movable units in a plurality of inlinefinishers in the system 1000 are open.

The control unit 205 causes the display unit 401 to display a window2401 on the condition that no door is open and the system 1000 standsby. The control unit 205 permits the operator to input a new job whilenotifying him of information representing the standby state via thewindow 2401.

Assume that the operator opens the front covers of the large-volumestacker and saddle stitching device in the system 1000 while the window2401 is displayed. That is, the statuses of these two movable unitschange from the closed status to the open one. In response to this, thecontrol unit 205 controls the display unit 401 to display, on the statusline, status information capable of notifying the operator that thesemovable units are open. In this example, these pieces of information arenot displayed at once on the status line. First, the control unit 205controls the display unit 401 to display a window 2402. The control unit205 causes the display unit 401 to display a message on the status lineof the window 2402 to represent that the front cover of the large-volumestacker is open. This is an example of a configuration in which thecontrol unit 205 causes the display unit 401 to display pieces of statusinformation representing the open status of the movable units in apriority order determined based on system configuration information ofthe system 1000 that is registered in the HD 209.

Assume that the system 1000 has the system configuration in FIG. 8A. Inthis system configuration, not the saddle stitching device (finisher)but the large-volume stacker is close to the printing device 100. Basedon this system configuration information, the control unit 205 causesthe display unit 401 to display status information of the large-volumestacker preferentially to that of the movable unit of the saddlestitching device. When displaying the window 2402, the control unit 205changes the display contents of the display unit 401 to those of thewindow 2402 though both the two movable units are open. That is, thecontrol unit 205 causes the display unit 401 to display a messagerepresenting the open status of the front cover of the stacker on thestatus line. A configuration is also possible in which the control unit205 controls to toggle-display two pieces of status informationrepresenting the open status of the two movable units at predeterminedintervals.

As described above, assume that the two movable units of thelarge-volume stacker and saddle stitching device are open in the system1000, and the display unit 401 displays the window 2402. In thissituation, the control unit 205 waits for input of a new job to beprinted (input of a print execution request) via the window 2402.

Assume that a job for which the operator sets print process conditionsvia the window 2402 and inputs a print execution request by pressing thestart key 503 requires discharge of a printed material to the deliverydestination of the large-volume stacker. This job will be referred to asa job 24A. When the control unit 205 makes a determination correspondingto this case, it interrupts execution of the job 24A in the system 1000,and inhibits the printer unit 203 from executing the print process ofthe job 24A. Also in this case, the control unit 205 causes the displayunit 401 to display guidance information to close the movable unit of aninline finisher necessary for the job 24A. In this example, the controlunit 205 controls the display unit 401 to change its display contentsfrom those of the window 2402 to those of a window 2404. The window 2402displays a job execution interrupt popup window (“please close the frontcover of the stacker.”) because the delivery destination of the job 24Acoincides with the position of the open cover.

Assume that the control unit 205 confirms that the operator has closedthe front cover of the large-volume stacker necessary for theinterrupted (print-inhibited) job 24A in the system 1000 while thedisplay unit 401 displays the window 2404. Also, assume that the movableunit of the saddle stitching device is not closed but remains open.

This case also corresponds to a case in which the status of the movableunit of the large-volume stacker necessary for the job 24A changes fromthe open status to the closed one.

Hence, when confirming a change of the status of the movable unit of thestacker, the control unit 205 permits the printing device 100 to startthe print process of the job 24A even while the movable unit of thesaddle stitching device remains open. Then, the control unit 205 causesthe system 1000 to resume the job 24A, and allows the printer unit 203to execute the print process of the job 24A. At the same time, thecontrol unit 205 causes the display unit 401 to end the display of theguidance information to close the movable unit of the large-volumestacker, and instead to display the progress of the job 24A. In thisexample, the control unit 205 controls the display unit 401 to changeits display contents from those of the window 2404 to those of a window2406.

The display of the window 2406 does not show a popup window (popupwindow displayed in the window 2404) containing guidance information toprompt the operator to close the movable unit of the large-volumestacker. Instead, the control unit 205 causes the display unit 401 topopup-display a job process status window capable of notifying theoperator in real time of the progress of the job 24A in the system 1000for which the control unit 205 cancels inhibition of printing.

The control unit 205 has already confirmed that the movable unit of thelarge-volume stacker has been closed at this time. Thus, the controlunit 205 causes the display unit 401 to erase status information of themovable unit from the status line in the display of the window 2406.

Even at this time, however, the control unit 205 has not confirmed achange of the status of the movable unit of the saddle stitching devicenot necessary for the process of the job 24A. That is, the movable unitof the saddle stitching device is still open at this time.

For this reason, while the display of the window 2406 keeps notifyingthe operator of the progress of the job 24A in real time (the jobprocess progress window remains valid), status information of themovable unit of the saddle stitching device not necessary for the job isdisplayed on the status line. The control unit 205 causes the displayunit 401 to display a message on the status line of the window 2406 torepresent that the front cover of the saddle stitching device (describedas a finisher in FIG. 24-7) is open.

In response to the end of executing all processes for the job 24A in thesystem 1000 while the window 2406 is displayed, the control unit 205controls the system 1000 to return to the standby state. In response tothe end of the job 24A, the control unit 205 also changes the displaycontents of the display unit 401 from the window 2406 to a window 2408.

The system 1000 returns to the standby state at the end of the processof the job 24A, but the movable unit of the saddle stitching deviceremains open. Hence, the control unit 205 allows acceptance of the printprocess condition settings and print execution request of a new jobother than the job 24A via the display of the window 2408. Also, thecontrol unit 205 causes the display unit 401 to display statusinformation on the status line to represent that the movable unit of thesaddle stitching device is open. The message “the front cover of thefinisher is open.” on the status line of the window 2408 means that themovable unit of the saddle stitching device is open. The control unit205 controls the display unit 401 to erase information displayed on thestatus line of the window 2408 from the window on the condition that theoperator closes the movable unit of the saddle stitching device.

A control example executed by the control unit 205 in a case that theoperator designates the saddle stitching device (finisher) as a deliverydestination and inputs a job while the window 2402 is displayed will beexplained.

Assume that a job newly input by an operator via the window 2402 whilethe two movable units are open requires an inline finisher differentfrom that of the job 24A. For example, this job requires discharge of aprinted material to the delivery destination of the saddle stitchingdevice. This job will be referred to as a job 24B.

Also when the control unit 205 makes a determination corresponding tothis case, it interrupts execution of the job 24B in the system 1000,and inhibits the printer unit 203 from executing the print process ofthe job 24B. Also in this case, the control unit 205 causes the displayunit 401 to display guidance information to close the movable unit of aninline finisher necessary for the job 248.

Also in this case, both the movable units of the large-volume stackerand saddle stitching device are open. In other words, the situation uponaccepting the print execution request of the job 24B is the same as thatupon accepting the print execution request of the job 24A. However, thejob 24B to be processed in this case utilizes the delivery destinationof not the large-volume stacker but the saddle stitching device.

When the control unit 205 makes a determination corresponding to thiscase, it inhibits a change of the display contents of the display unit401 from the window 2402 to the window 2404, but changes the window 2402to the window 2403. In the display of the window 2403, guidanceinformation to prompt the operator to close the movable unit of thesaddle stitching device necessary for the post-process of the job 24B ispopup-displayed as job information of the job 24B.

Status information to notify the operator that the movable unit of thelarge-volume stacker not used for the post-process of the job 24B isopen is displayed as the status of the system 1000 on the status line inthe display of the window 2403. That is, status information representingthe open status of the movable unit of the large-volume stacker isdisplayed on the status line preferentially to status informationrepresenting the open status of the movable unit of the saddle stitchingdevice.

This is display control executed by the control unit 205 on thecondition that the system 1000 has the system configuration shown inFIG. 8A and a device closer to the printing device 100 among the twoinline finishers is not the saddle stitching device but the large-volumestacker.

In the case that the job to be processed that is accepted while the twomovable units are open is not the job 24A but the job 24B, the controlunit 205 causes the display unit 401 to display the window 2403 underthe above display control.

In the display example of the window 2403, a message that the frontcover of the stacker is open is displayed on the status line. To thecontrary, a message (“please close the front cover of the finishing.” inFIG. 24-3) to prompt the operator to close the front cover of the saddlestitching device serving as the delivery destination of the job 24B isdisplayed in the popup window representing the interrupt of the job 24Bin the window 2403. In this fashion, the control unit 205 independentlycontrols the display of movable unit information serving as statusinformation of the system 1000, and the display of movable unitinformation serving as guidance information on a job.

Referring back to the description of the control example of the job 24B,assume that the control unit 205 confirms that the operator has closedthe front cover of the saddle stitching device necessary for theinterrupted (print-inhibited) job 24B in the system 1000 while thedisplay unit 401 displays the window 2403. Also, assume that the movableunit of the large-volume stacker is not closed but remains open.

This case also corresponds to a case in which the status of the movableunit of the saddle stitching device necessary for the job 24B changesfrom the open status to the closed one.

Hence, when confirming a change of the status of the movable unit of thesaddle stitching device, the control unit 205 permits the printingdevice 100 to start the print process of the job 24B even while themovable unit of the large-volume stacker remains open. Then, the controlunit 205 causes the system 1000 to resume the job 24B, and allows theprinter unit 203 to execute the print process of the job 24B. At thesame time, the control unit 205 causes the display unit 401 to end thedisplay of the guidance information to close the movable unit of thesaddle stitching device, and instead to display the progress of the job24B. In this example, the control unit 205 controls the display unit 401to change its display contents from those of the window 2403 to those ofa window 2405.

The display of the window 2405 does not show a popup window (popupwindow displayed in the window 2403) containing guidance information toprompt the operator to close the movable unit of the saddle stitchingdevice. Instead, the control unit 205 causes the display unit 401 topopup-display a job process status window capable of notifying theoperator in real time of the progress of the job 24B in the system 1000for which the control unit 205 cancels inhibition of printing.

Even at this time, the control unit 205 has not confirmed a change ofthe status of the movable unit of the large-volume stacker not necessaryfor the process of the job 24B. That is, the movable unit of thelarge-volume stacker is still open at this time.

For this reason, while the display of the window 2405 keeps notifyingthe operator of the progress of the job 24B in real time (the jobprocess progress window remains valid), status information of themovable unit of the large-volume stacker not necessary for the job isdisplayed on the status line. The control unit 205 causes the displayunit 401 to display a message on the status line of the window 2405 torepresent that the front cover of the large-volume stacker is open.

In response to the end of executing all processes for the job 24B in thesystem 1000 while the window 2405 is displayed, the control unit 205controls the system 1000 to return to the standby state. In response tothe end of the job 24B, the control unit 205 also changes the displaycontents of the display unit 401 from the window 2405 to a window 2407.

The system 1000 returns to the standby state at the end of the processof the job 24B, but the movable unit of the large-volume stacker remainsopen. Hence, the control unit 205 allows acceptance of the print processcondition settings and print execution request of a new job other thanthe job 24B via the display of the window 2407. Also, the control unit205 causes the display unit 401 to display status information on thestatus line to represent that the movable unit of the large-volumestacker is open. The control unit 205 controls the display unit 401 toerase information displayed on the status line of the window 2407 fromthe window on the condition that the operator closes the movable unit ofthe large-volume stacker.

Cover-open display control and job interrupt/resume control executed bythe control unit 205 when a job is input while the covers of two sheetprocessing devices are open in the system 1000 have been described.

An example of display control and an example of job control which areexecuted by the control unit 205 when the covers of the three sheetprocessing devices, i.e., large-volume stacker, glue binding device, andsaddle stitching device (finisher) are open will be described withreference to FIGS. 25-1 to 25-6. The “case binding device” shown inFIGS. 25-1 to 25-6 corresponds to the glue binding device in FIG. 8A.Both the control examples illustrated in FIGS. 24-1 to 24-8 and 25-1 to25-6 are executed on the premise that the control unit 205 confirms thatthe system 1000 has the system configuration shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B.

Referring back to the description of FIGS. 25-1 to 25-6, when thecontrol unit 205 confirms that the system 1000 stands by and no cover isopen, it causes the display unit 401 to display a window 2501. In thedisplay of the window 2501, the control unit 205 displays a message“ready to copy.” as information which notifies the operator of thestandby state, and waits for input of a new job.

Assume that the operator opens a total of three movable units, i.e., thefront covers of the large-volume stacker, saddle stitching device(finisher), and glue binding device in the system 1000 while the window2501 is displayed. That is, the statuses of all the three movable unitschange from the closed status to the open one in the absence of any jobto be processed. When confirming that the statuses of these movableunits have changed, the control unit 205 changes the display contents ofthe display unit 401 from the window 2501 to a window 2502.

In the display of the window 2502, the control unit 205 displays amessage that the cover of the large-volume stacker is open, on thestatus line preferentially to pieces of status information that the tworemaining movable units are open. This is display control of statusinformation of the movable unit based on a priority order determinedfrom the positional relationship between the open movable units and theprinting device 100. A description of this display control will beomitted.

Assume that a job newly input by an operator via the operation unit 204while the display unit 401 displays the window 2502 requires thedelivery destination of the glue binding device. This job will bereferred to as a job 25A. In this situation, the job 25A whose printexecution request is accepted by the control unit 205 while all thethree movable units are open is a job requiring a post-process by theglue binding device in FIG. 8A.

When the control unit 205 makes a determination corresponding to thiscase, it interrupts execution of the job 25A in the system 1000, andinhibits the printer unit 203 from executing the print process of thejob 25A. Also in this case, the control unit 205 causes the display unit401 to display guidance information to close the movable unit of aninline finisher necessary for the job 25A. For example, the control unit205 changes the display contents of the display unit 401 from the window2502 to the window 2503.

In this case, all the three movable units of the large-volume stacker,glue binding device, and saddle stitching device are open in the system1000. Also in this case, the status information that the movable unit ofthe large-volume stacker is open is preferentially displayed.

Hence, the control unit 205 causes the display unit 401 to displaystatus information of the large-volume stacker on the status line in thedisplay of the window 2503 while displaying a popup window containingguidance information to close the movable unit of the glue bindingdevice necessary as the delivery destination of the job 25A.

Assume that the operator closes a movable unit unrelated to the job 25Awhile the window 2503 is displayed. This corresponds to a case in whichthe operator closes the front cover of the large-volume stacker notnecessary for the post-process of the job 25A during the display of thewindow 2503.

In this case, the status of the movable unit of the large-volume stackerchanges from the open status to the closed one. However, the status ofthe movable unit of the glue binding device related to the job 25A doesnot change and remains open.

Even when the status of the large-volume stacker changes, the controlunit 205 causes the system 1000 to maintain the interrupted(print-inhibited) state of the job 25A. That is, even if the operatorcloses the open movable unit of the large-volume stacker, the controlunit 205 inhibits execution of the print process of the job 25A. Inaddition, the control unit 205 controls the display unit 401 to keepdisplaying the guidance information to close the movable unit of theglue binding device necessary for the job 25A.

However, in response to a change of the status of the large-volumestacker, the control unit 205 controls the display unit 401 to switchstatus information displayed on the status line. In this example, thecontrol unit 205 changes the display contents of the display unit 401from the window 2503 to a window 2504.

This control is executed when the control unit 205 confirms that statusinformation displayed on the status line in the display of the window2503 is that of the large-volume stacker and the operator has closed themovable unit of the large-volume stacker.

While maintaining the popup display of the job 25A on the display of thewindow 2504, the control unit 205 causes the display unit 401 to displaystatus information on the status line of the window 2504 to notify theoperator that the movable unit of the glue binding device is open.

Candidates to be displayed as status information at this time are statusinformation notifying the operator that the movable unit of the gluebinding device is open, and status information notifying the operatorthat the movable unit of the saddle stitching device is open. However,status information of the highest priority second to the statusinformation of the movable unit of the large-volume stacker is notstatus information of the movable unit of the saddle stitching devicebut that of the movable unit of the glue binding device. This alsocomplies with the priority-based display control.

The control unit 205 causes the display unit 401 to display statusinformation of the movable unit of the glue binding device of the secondhighest priority on the status line in the display of the window 2504.

In this manner, even while guidance information to resume the job 25A iskept displayed, the control unit 205 controls to switch the messagedisplayed on the status line to information on the front cover of theglue binding device (described as a case binding unit in FIGS. 25-1 to25-6) of the second highest priority.

Referring back to the description of the job 25A, assume that theoperator closes the movable unit (described as the front cover of thecase binding unit in FIGS. 25-1 to 25-6) of the glue binding device inaccordance with guidance information in the popup window of the window2504 while the display unit 401 displays the window 2504. Also, assumethat the movable unit of the saddle stitching device is not closed butremains open.

This case also corresponds to a case in which the status of the movableunit of the glue binding device necessary for the job 25A changes fromthe open status to the closed one.

Hence, when confirming a change of the status of the movable unit of theglue binding device, the control unit 205 permits the printing device100 to start the print process of the job 25A even while the movableunit of the saddle stitching device remains open. Then, the control unit205 causes the system 1000 to resume the job 25A, and allows the printerunit 203 to execute the print process of the job 25A. At the same time,the control unit 205 causes the display unit 401 to end the display ofthe guidance information to close the movable unit of the glue bindingdevice, and instead to display the progress of the job 25A. In thisexample, the control unit 205 controls the display unit 401 to changeits display contents from those of the window 2504 to those of a window2505.

The display of the window 2505 does not show a popup window (popupwindow displayed in the window 2503 or 2504) containing guidanceinformation to prompt the operator to close the movable unit of the gluebinding device. Instead, the control unit 205 causes the display unit401 to popup-display a job process status window capable of notifyingthe operator in real time of the progress of the job 25A in the system1000 for which the control unit 205 cancels inhibition of printing.

The control unit 205 has already confirmed that the movable unit of theglue binding device has been closed at this time. Thus, statusinformation of the movable unit is erased from the status line in thedisplay of the window 2505.

Even at this time, however, the control unit 205 has not confirmed achange of the status of the movable unit of the saddle stitching devicenot necessary for the process of the job 25A. That is, the movable unitof the saddle stitching device is still open at this time.

For this reason, while the display of the window 2505 keeps notifyingthe operator of the progress of the job 25A in real time (the jobprocess progress window remains valid), status information of themovable unit of the saddle stitching device not necessary for the job isdisplayed on the status line. The control unit 205 causes the displayunit 401 to display a message on the status line of the window 2505 torepresent that the front cover of the saddle stitching device (describedas a finisher in FIG. 25-5) is open.

In response to the end of executing all processes for the job 25A in thesystem 1000 while the window 2505 is displayed, the control unit 205controls the system 1000 to return to the standby state. In response tothe end of the job 25A, the control unit 205 also changes the displaycontents of the display unit 401 from the window 2505 to a window 2506.

The system 1000 returns to the standby state at the end of the processof the job 25A, but the movable unit of the saddle stitching deviceremains open. Hence, the control unit 205 allows acceptance of the printprocess condition settings and print execution request of a new jobother than the job 25A via the display of the window 2506. Also, thecontrol unit 205 causes the display unit 401 to display statusinformation on the status line to represent that the movable unit of thesaddle stitching device is open. The message “the front cover of thefinisher is open.” on the status line of the window 2506 means that themovable unit of the saddle stitching device is open. The control unit205 controls the display unit 401 to erase information displayed on thestatus line of the window 2506 from the window on the condition that theoperator closes the movable unit of the saddle stitching device.

An example of job control in the system 1000 that is executed by thecontrol unit 205 when the operator opens all three movable units, and anexample of display control for the operation unit 204 in synchronismwith the job control have been described.

The sequence of the control will be described with reference to theflowcharts of FIGS. 26A and 26B. FIG. 26A shows the flowchart of aprocess to determine the status display and interrupt/resume of a job.FIG. 26B shows the flowchart of a process to control the device statusdisplay of the overall printing system. The flowchart in FIG. 26A mainlyconcerns a display status when the job is interrupted or executed. Theflowchart in FIG. 26B mainly concerns control of the cover-open statusdisplayed on the status line.

The job status display control process starts from step S2601, and it isdetermined in step S2602 whether a job has been input. In other words,for example, the control unit 205 determines in S2602 whether theoperator has input the execution request of a job requiring the printprocess via the UI unit of the embodiment. If it is determined that nojob has been input, the process returns to step S2602. If it isdetermined that a job has been input, the process advances to stepS2603.

In step S2603, information which designates the delivery destination ofthe input job is analyzed. In step S2604, it is determined whether acover related to the delivery destination specified by the analysis isopen. If it is determined that no related cover is open, the processadvances to step S2605 to execute the job. Then, the process advances tostep S2607 to determine whether even one of the covers of inlinefinishes in the system 1000 has changed in the open/closed status. Ifthe result is YES in S2607, the process returns from step S2607 to stepS2604. If the result is NO in S2607, the process advances from stepS2607 to step S2609. In step S2609, it is determined whether the job hasended. If it is determined that no job has ended, the process returns tostep S2605. If it is determined that the job has ended, the processaccording to the flowchart ends.

If the related cover is open, the process advances to step S2606 tointerrupt the job and display door information (corresponding toguidance information in the above example) on the display unit 401. Thedisplay has already been described. In step S2608, it is determinedwhether the open/closed status of the cover has changed. If it isdetermined that the open/closed status of the cover has changed, theprocess returns to step S2604. If it is determined that the open/closedstatus of the cover has not changed, the process returns to step S2608,i.e., the process waits until the cover status changes.

The job status display control has been described.

The process in steps S2603 to S2610 of A means that the embodimentdiscloses a configuration in which the control unit 205 performs thefollowing process.

After confirming in S2602 that a new job has been accepted, the controlunit 205 makes the following (confirmation 1).

(Confirmation 1) The control unit 205 confirms whether the target job,which is confirmed in S2602 to exist and for which a print executionrequest is issued, requires a post-process by an inline finisher havingan open movable unit in the system 1000.

If the result is YES in (confirmation 1), the control unit 205 advancesthe process from S2604 to S2606.

In S2606, the control unit 205 interrupts the job determined in(confirmation 1) in the system 1000, and inhibits at least execution ofthe print process of the job. At the same time, the control unit 205causes the UI unit of the embodiment to notify the operator of guidanceinformation to prompt him to close the movable unit of the inlinefinisher necessary for the process of the job. The control in S2606 isincluded in control “to inhibit the printing device 100 from executingthe print process of a job without notifying the operator via the UIunit of the embodiment of guidance information to prompt him to close anopen movable unit”. After the process in S2606, the process advances toS2608.

If the result is NO in (confirmation 1), the control unit 205 advancesthe process from S2604 to S2605.

In S2605, the control unit 205 permits execution of the print process ofthe job even if a movable unit which does not influence the process ofthe job determined in (confirmation 1) is open in the system 1000. Alsoin S2605, the control unit 205 allows the printing device 100 to executethe print process of the job without notifying the operator via the UIunit of the embodiment of guidance information to close the movable unitwhich does not influence the process of the job. The control in S2605 isincluded in control “to permit the printing device 100 to execute theprint process of a job without notifying the operator via the UI unit ofthe embodiment of guidance information to prompt him to close an openmovable unit”. After the process in S2605, the process advances toS2607.

In other words, the process in S2607 means that the control unit 205makes the following (confirmation 2).

(Confirmation 2) The control unit 205 confirms whether even one ofmovable units in the system 1000 has changed the status from the closedstatus to the open one.

If the result is YES in (confirmation 2), the control unit 205 returnsthe process from S2607 to S2604. If the result is NO in (confirmation2), the control unit 205 advances the process from S2607 to S2609.

In other words, the process in S2609 means that the control unit 205makes the following (confirmation 3).

(Confirmation 3) The control unit 205 confirms whether all the processesof the job, for which execution of printing is permitted in S2605, endin the system 1000.

If the result is YES in (confirmation 3), the control unit 205 advancesthe process from S2609 to S2610, ending the process of the job. Inpractice, the process returns to S2602 and restarts from confirmation ofthe presence of a new job. If the result is NO in (confirmation 3), thecontrol unit 205 returns the process from S2609 to S2605. In S2605, thecontrol unit 205 causes the system 1000 to continue the process of thejob in order to complete the process of the job whose printing ispermitted in S2605.

In other words, the process in S2608 means that the control unit 205makes the following (confirmation 4).

(Confirmation 4) The control unit 205 confirms whether even one ofmovable units in the system 1000 has changed the status from the openstatus to the closed one.

If the result is YES in (confirmation 4), the control unit 205 returnsthe process from S2608 to S2604.

If the result is NO in (confirmation 4), the control unit 205 inhibitsthe shift from S2608 to S2604. That is, the control unit 205 causes thesystem 1000 to maintain the interrupted (print-inhibited) state of thejob that has been set by the process in S2606, and also to keepnotifying the operator of the guidance information via the UI unit ofthe embodiment.

As is apparent from the above description which rephrases the flowchartof FIGS. 26A and 26B, the process of FIGS. 26A and 26B and thedescription of this process show a more concrete control examplesubordinate to the control executed by the control unit 205 in theembodiment. For example, both the left and right flowcharts in FIGS. 26Aand 26B belong to a control example subordinate to the control executedby the control unit 205. This is also apparent from a comparison fromvarious control examples which are executed by the control unit 205 inthe embodiment and have been described in detail with reference to FIGS.20-1 to 25-6 prior to the description of FIGS. 26A and 26B.

Referring back to the description of FIGS. 26A and 26B, device statusdisplay control will be explained with reference to the flowchart ofFIG. 26B. This flowchart will be described as an example ofpreferentially displaying a message about a sheet processing device nearthe printing device main body on the status line of the device status inthe whole printing system.

The process starts from step S2620, and it is determined in step S2621whether the cover status has changed. If it is determined that no coverstatus has changed, the process returns to step S2620. If it isdetermined that the cover status has changed, the process advances tostep S2622. In step S2622, it is determined whether the cover status ofthe large-volume stacker has changed. If it is determined that the coverstatus of the large-volume stacker has not changed, the process advancesto step S2626. If it is determined that the cover status of thelarge-volume stacker has changed, the process advances to step S2623.

In step S2623, it is determined whether the cover of the large-volumestacker has changed to be open. If it is determined that the cover haschanged to be open, the process advances to step S2624 to cause thedisplay unit 401 to display a message such as “the cover of the stackeris open.” Then, the process returns to step S2621.

If it is determined in step S2623 that the cover of the large-volumestacker has changed to be closed, the process advances to step S2625 toerase the message such as “the cover of the stacker is open.” from thewindow, and advances to step S2626.

In step S2626, it is determined whether the cover status of the casebinding device serving as the next sheet processing device has changed.If it is determined that the cover status of the case binding device haschanged, the process advances to step S2627 to determine whether thecover has changed to be open or closed.

If it is determined that the cover has changed to be open, the processadvances to step S2628 to cause the display unit 401 to display amessage such as “the cover of the case binding unit is open.” Then, theprocess returns to step S2621.

If it is determined in step S2627 that the cover has changed to beclosed, the process advances to step S2629 to erase the message such as“the cover of the case binding unit is open.” from the window, andadvances to step S2630.

In step S2630, it is determined whether the cover status of the saddlestitching device (finisher) serving as the next sheet processing devicehas changed. If it is determined that the cover status of the finisherhas changed, the process advances to step S2631 to determine whether thecover has changed to be open or closed. If it is determined that thecover has changed to be open, the process advances to step S2632 tocause the display unit 401 to display a message such as “the cover ofthe finisher is open.” If it is determined in step S2631 that the coverhas changed to be closed, the process advances to step S2633 to erasethe message such as “the cover of the finisher is open.” from thewindow, and returns to step S2621.

According to the detailed description of the embodiment, a printingsystem capable of selectively supplying a sheet of a job havingundergone a print process by a printing means from the printing means ofa printing device having the printing means capable of executing theprint process of data in a storage means capable of storing data of aplurality of jobs to a plurality of sheet processing devices capable ofexecuting a sheet process for a sheet of a job printed by the printingmeans comprises a cover status detecting means for detecting the coverstatuses of the printing device and sheet processing devices, and adisplay means for displaying the cover statuses. The printing systemalso comprises a first cover-open display control means for, when thedetecting means detects the cover-open status, controlling the displaymeans to display the cover-open status of the overall printing systemincluding the printing device and the plurality of sheet processingdevices, and a second cover-open display control means for controllingthe display means to display only the cover-open status of a sheetprocessing device used for the job among the plurality of sheetprocessing devices. The cover-open status of the overall system job andthat of each job are independently displayed. Only the second cover-opendisplay control means determines whether the job is executable. Underthis control, when the cover is opened, an optimal message is displayedto an operator, efficiently executing a plurality of jobs without posingany extra work on the operator. The embodiment can provide thismechanism.

[Other Mechanisms]

A host computer (e.g., the PC 103 or 104) may use an externallyinstalled program to achieve the functions shown in the drawings in theembodiment. For example, a computer-readable computer program forcausing a computer to execute control corresponding to control which isdisclosed in the embodiment, has been described with reference to FIGS.20-1 to 26B, and is executed by the control unit 205 is externallydownloaded to a host computer via a Web. Based on this program, the samecontrol as the control which is disclosed in the embodiment, has beendescribed with reference to FIGS. 20-1 to 26B, and is executed by thecontrol unit 205 can be implemented using the system 1000. Thisconfiguration is also possible. In this configuration, however, at leastall display windows which are displayed on the display unit 401 of theoperation unit 204 in the embodiment as shown in FIGS. 20-1 to 25-6 aredesirably displayed on the display unit of the host computer. This canfurther enhance the effects disclosed in the embodiment. In this case,data for displaying the same operation windows as those described in theembodiment including operation windows are externally installed toprovide various user interface windows on the display unit of the hostcomputer. This process is described with reference to the configurationbased on the UI windows of FIGS. 17A and 17B. In this configuration, thepresent invention is also applicable to a case in which an output devicereceives a set of information including a program from a storage mediumsuch as a CD-ROM, flash memory, or FD, or from an external storagemedium via a network.

As described above, the object of the present invention is also achievedby supplying a storage medium which records software program codes forimplementing the functions of the above-described embodiment to a systemor apparatus, and reading out and executing the program codes stored inthe storage medium by the computer (CPU or MPU) of the system orapparatus.

In this case, the program codes read out from the storage mediumimplement new functions of the present invention, and the storage mediumwhich stores the program codes constitutes the present invention.

The program form is arbitrary such as an object code, a program executedby an interpreter, or script data supplied to an OS as long as a programfunction is attained.

The storage medium for supplying the program includes a flexible disk,hard disk, optical disk, magnetooptical disk, MO, CD-ROM, CD-R, CD-RW,magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, ROM, and DVD.

In this case, the program code read out from the storage mediumimplements the functions of the above-described embodiment, and thestorage medium which stores the program codes constitutes the presentinvention.

As another program supply method, the program can be supplied byconnecting a client computer to an Internet home-page via the browser ofthe client computer, and downloading the computer program of the presentinvention or a compressed file containing an automatic installingfunction from the homepage to a recording medium such as a hard disk.The program can also be implemented by grouping program codes which formthe program of the present invention into a plurality of files, anddownloading the files from different homepages. That is, claims of thepresent invention also incorporate a WWW server, FTP server, and thelike which prompt a plurality of users to download the program files forimplementing functional processes of the present invention by acomputer.

The program of the present invention can be encrypted, stored in astorage medium such as a CD-ROM, and distributed to a user. A user whosatisfies predetermined conditions is prompted to download decryptionkey information from a homepage via the Internet. The user executes theencrypted program using the key information, and installs the program inthe computer.

The functions of the above-described embodiment are implemented when thecomputer executes the readout program codes. Also, the functions of theabove-described embodiment are implemented when an OS (Operating System)or the like running on the computer performs some or all of actualprocesses based on the instructions of the program codes.

The functions of the above-described embodiment are also implementedwhen the program codes read out from the storage medium are written inthe memory of a function expansion board inserted into the computer orthe memory of a function expansion unit connected to the computer, andthe CPU of the function expansion board or function expansion unitperforms some or all of actual processes based on the instructions ofthe program codes.

The present invention may be applied to a system including a pluralityof apparatuses or an apparatus formed by a single device. The presentinvention is also applicable to a case of achieving the effects of thepresent invention by supplying a program to the system or apparatus. Inthis case, the system or apparatus can obtain the effects of the presentinvention by providing, to the system or apparatus, a storage mediumwhich stores a program represented by software for achieving the presentinvention.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, andvarious modifications (including organic combinations of embodiments)can be made without departing from the scope of the invention, and arenot excluded from the scope of the invention. For example, the controlunit 205 in the printing device 100 mainly performs various controloperations, but the external controller of a housing different from theprinting device 100 may execute one or all of various controloperations.

While the present invention has been described with reference toexemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is notlimited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments. The scope of thefollowing claims is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as toencompass all such modifications and equivalent structures andfunctions.

This application claims the benefit of Japanese Patent Application No.2006-079590 filed Mar. 22, 2006 and No. 2007-042680 filed Feb. 22, 2007,which are hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.

What is claimed is:
 1. A printing system adapted to be able to performsuitable for a processing concerning a job to be processed by apost-processing device, the post-processing device having a movablecomponent openable by an operator, the system comprising: a controllerthat enables the printing device to execute the a print process of a jobto be processed even while the movable component remains open in a casethat the job does not require the, and for a first post-processingdevice or a second post-processing device to execute a post-process bythe of the job, the first post-processing device having a first cover,and the second post-processing device having a second cover, the systemcomprising: a controller that controls, in a case that a job requires apost-process by the second post-processing device having the openmovable component, the controller inhibiting the printing device fromexecuting the print process of a job to be processed without notifyingan operator via a user interface unit of information on the open movablecomponent in a case that the job requires the and does not require apost-process by the first post-processing device having the open movablecomponent, the printing device to execute a print process of the jobeven while the first cover remains open, wherein the controller inhibitsthe printing device from executing the print process of the job in acase that both the first cover and the second cover are open and thenthe second cover remains open even after the first cover is closed, andpermits the printing device to execute the print process of the job in acase that both the first cover and the second cover are open and thenthe second cover is closed.
 2. The system according to claim 1, in acase that the job to be processed requires the post-process by the firstpost-processing device having the open movable component, the controllercauses controls the printing device to execute the print process of thejob after the user interface unit notifies the operator of guidanceinformation to close the open movable component by an operatoroperation, and a status of the movable component cover changes from anopen status to a closed status.
 3. The system according to claim 1, in acase that the job to be processed requires the post-process by the firstpost-processing device having the open movable component, the controllermakes controls the printing device to make the print process of the jobstand by until the movable component cover is closed by an operatoroperation.
 4. The system according to claim 1, in a case that the job tobe processed does not require the post-process by the firstpost-processing device having the open movable component, the controllerpermits controls the printing device to execute the print process of thejob without notifying the an operator via the a user interface unit ofguidance information to close on the open movable component by anoperator operation cover even while the movable component cover remainsopen.
 5. The system according to claim 1, wherein the controller causesthe a user interface unit to notify the operator of status informationthat the movable component cover is open, prior to the print process bythe printing device regardless of whether the job to be processedrequires the post-process by the first post-processing device having theopen movable component or does not require the post-process by the firstpost-processing device having the open movable component.
 6. The systemaccording to claim 1, wherein the controller permits acceptance of aprint execution-request execution request of a new job via the a userinterface unit even in a case that a status of the movable componentcover of the first post-processing device changes from an open status toa closed status.
 7. The system according to claim 1, wherein thecontroller inhibits acceptance of a print execution request of a new jobvia the a user interface unit even in a case that a status of a movablecomponent cover of the printing device changes from an open status to aclosed status.
 8. The system according to claim 1, the controllerinhibits the printing device from executing the print process of the jobto be processed in a case that both a first movable component of a firstpost-processing device necessary for the post-process of the job and asecond movable component of a second post-processing device notnecessary for the post-process of the job are open, and the firstmovable component remains open even after the second movable componentis closed, and in a case that both the first movable component and thesecond movable component are open and the first movable component isclosed, the controller permits the printing device to execute the printprocess of the job even while the second movable component remains open.9. The system according to claim 1, A printing system suitable for aprinting device to execute a print process of a job, and for a firstpost-processing device or a second post-processing device to execute apost-process of the job, the first post-processing device having acover, the system comprising: a controller that controls, in a case thata job requires a post-process by the second post-processing device anddoes not require a post-process by the first post-processing device, theprinting device to execute a print process of the job even while thecover remains open, wherein the post-process includes at least one of: astapling process for a printed material supplied from the printingdevice, a punching process for the printed material supplied from theprinting device, a shift delivery process for the printed materialsupplied from the printing device, a saddle stitching process for theprinted material supplied from the printing device, a glue bindingprocess for the printed material supplied from the printing device, astacking process for the printed material supplied from the printingdevice, and a trimming process for the printed material supplied fromthe printing device.
 10. The system according to claim 1, the furthercomprising a user interface unit includes at least either of including auser interface unit of the printing device, and a user interface unit ofa computer which transmits print data of a job to be processed to theprinting device, or both the user interface unit of the printing deviceand the user interface unit of the computer.
 11. A job processing methodfor a printing system adapted to be able to perform a processingconcerning a job to be processed by a post-processing device, thepost-processing device having a movable component openable by anoperator, comprising: enabling the printing device to execute the printprocess of a job to be processed even while the movable componentremains open in a case that the job does not require the post-process bythe post-processing device having the open movable component; andinhibiting the printing device from executing the print process of a jobto be processed without notifying an operator via a user interface unitof information on the open movable component in a case that the jobrequires the post-process by the post-processing device having the openmovable component.
 12. The method according to claim 11, furthercomprising, in a case that the job to be processed requires thepost-process by the post-processing device having the open movablecomponent, causing the printing device to execute the print process ofthe job after the user interface unit notifies the operator of guidanceinformation to close the open movable component by an operatoroperation, and a status of the movable component changes from an openstatus to a closed status.
 13. The method according to claim 11, furthercomprising, in a case that the job to be processed requires thepost-process by the post-processing device having the open movablecomponent, making the print process of the job stand by until themovable component is closed by an operator operation.
 14. The methodaccording to claims 11, further comprising, in a case that the job to beprocessed does not require the post-process by the post-processingdevice having the open movable component, permitting the printing deviceto execute the print process of the job without notifying the operatorvia the user interface unit of guidance information to close the openmovable component by an operator operation even while the movablecomponent remains open.
 15. The method according to claim 11, furthercomprising causing the user interface unit to notify the operator ofstatus information that the movable component is open, prior to theprint process by the printing device regardless of whether the job to beprocessed requires the post-process by the post-processing device havingthe open movable component or does not require the post-process by thepost-processing device having the open movable component.
 16. The methodaccording to claim 11, further comprising permitting acceptance of aprint execution request of a new job via the user interface unit even ina case that a status of the movable component of the post-processingdevice changes from an open status to a closed status.
 17. The methodaccording to claims 11, further comprising inhibiting acceptance of aprint execution request of a new job via the user interface unit even ina case that a status of a movable component of the printing devicechanges from an open status to a closed status.
 18. The method accordingto claim 11, further comprising inhibiting the printing device fromexecuting the print process of the job to be processed in a case thatboth a first movable component of a first post-processing devicenecessary for the post-process of the job and a second movable componentof a second post-processing device not necessary for the post-process ofthe job are open, and the first movable component remains open evenafter the second movable component is closed, and in a case that boththe first movable component and the second movable component are openand the first movable component is closed, permitting the printingdevice to execute the print process of the job even while the secondmovable component remains open.
 19. The method according to claim 11,the post-process includes at least one of a stapling process for aprinted material supplied from the printing device, a punching processfor the printed material supplied from the printing device, a shiftdelivery process for the printed material supplied from the printingdevice, a saddle stitching process for the printed material suppliedfrom the printing device, a glue binding process for the printedmaterial supplied from the printing device, a stacking process for theprinted material supplied from the printing device, and a trimmingprocess for the printed material supplied from the printing device. 20.The method according to claims 11, the user interface unit includes atleast either of a user interface unit of the printing device, and a userinterface unit of a computer which transmits print data of a job to beprocessed to the printing device.
 21. A printing device for executing ajob processing method defined in claim
 11. 22. A computer-readablestorage medium storing a program for executing a job processing methodin claim
 11. 23. The system according to claim 1, in a case that the jobrequires the post-process by the first post-processing device, thecontroller controls the printing device to execute the print process ofthe job after notifying an operator via a user interface unit ofinformation on the open cover.
 24. The system according to claim 1,wherein the first post-processing device is located upstream of thesecond post-processing device.
 25. A job processing method for aprinting system suitable for a printing device to execute a printprocess of a job, and for a first post-processing device or a secondpost-processing device to execute a post-process of the job, the firstpost-processing device having a first cover, and the secondpost-processing device having a second cover, the method comprising thestep of: controlling, in case that a job requires a post-process by thesecond post-processing device and does not require a post-process by thefirst post-processing device, the printing device to execute a printprocess of the job even while the first cover remains open, wherein thecontrolling step includes inhibiting the printing device from executingthe print process of the job in a case that both the first cover and thesecond cover are open and then the second cover remains open even afterthe first cover is closed, and permitting the printing device to executethe print process of the job in a case that both the first cover and thesecond cover are open and then the second cover is closed.
 26. Anon-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing a programexecutable at least by a computer in a printing system for executing ajob processing method defined in claim 25.